Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been hailed as being an inspiration to other players in speaking out against VAR.
Following the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, where the hosts equalised through a stoppage time penalty with Andy Robertson penalised after a monitor review despite referee Stuart Attwell originally not giving the decision, the Reds skipper called for VAR to be scrapped.
Asked if he’d abandon the controversial innovation, Henderson told Match of the Day : “I don't want to speak for anybody else but in my opinion I would.
“I just want to play football as normal. I saw Kevin de Bruyne saying in an interview they have changed so many rules we don't know what they are anymore. That for me is a big problem.
“We are talking about instances all the time and not football. In my opinion I would rather play without it, yeah.”
Now, BBC pundit and former PFA chairman Garth Crooks is hoping that Henderson’s frank admission can encourage others to speak out on an issue that many believe is damaging football.
Writing in his Team of the Week column, which included Liverpool’s goalscorer at Brighton, Diogo Jota, Crooks said: “Regular readers will know what I think of VAR, and I have been saying so in this column since the infernal contraption was first introduced to the game.
“Know-it-alls and snake-oil salesmen convinced the football public the video assistant referee would rid the game of controversy and disputes.
“Well, give me a moment while I try to compose myself from hysterical laughter.
“Even Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has joined the chorus demanding the technology has only a limited role to play in the modern game.
“I wish there were a few more like him. It's about time the players found their voice on this issue.
“Fortunately, Liverpool have recently signed Diogo Jota and everything he touches at the moment seems to turn to goals - and not even VAR can stop him.”
