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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Husband

Premier League set to update VAR protocol after resounding Euro 2020 success

Premier League bosses are ready to amend the protocol surrounding VAR following its successful implementation at Euro 2020.

The English top-flight has used the technology for the last two seasons, but has encountered some serious teething problems.

Last season saw a number of contentious calls, while the time to reach a conclusive decision also drew criticism.

However, fans watching the European Championships this summer were quick to point to the efficiency and sensible decision-making from officials.

In particular, offside calls were made at a very quick pace, without the laborious need for extensive replays and lines.

Much of the speed was to do with the fact that UEFA appointed twice as many officials for each game, including one dedicated to offside decisions.

In each of the 51 games at Euro 2020, there was a referee from one of Europe’s top five leagues whose sole responsibility was to check offside calls.

That won’t be coming into place for next season’s Premier League, due to the simple fact that there are not enough officials able to do the job.

ESPN does report however, that there will be a new level of tolerance added to offside calls and as seen in Euro 2020, if the final image does not produce a conclusive result, the on-field decision will remain.

This would have helped incidents such as Jordan Henderson’s late disallowed goal against Everton at Goodison Park, as well as the controversial decision to rule out Patrick Bamford’s goal at Selhurst Park.

The report adds that fans will also no longer be privy to the working out process made by officials, meaning no more of the lines being shown on screen.

Former Premier League referee Lee Probert has warned that despite the added tolerance, there will still be contentious offside calls that will divide opinion.

There will be more tolerance added to decisions like the one which saw Patrick Bamford's goal disallowed (pixel8000)

He told the BBC: “Sadly, with offside, it's not subjective. You either are or you're not. OK, people might not like it if a big toe is offside, but it is a fact.

“What you don't want is too many opinions, but if you have an assistant referee specialist for offsides, someone who can take that pressure away from you, I think that's a really good idea.”

In total, there were 18 corrections at Euro 2020 and Probert praised tournament organisers for their softer touch when it came to overruling on-field officials.

“Minimum intervention, maximum impact. Only get involved if you have clear evidence to say it is wrong. That's why the Euros have been so good,” Probert continued.

“If you look at the major decisions on the pitch there has been very little involvement.

“There have been lots of checks going on behind the scenes, but no real big interferences because they have stuck with the referee.

“VAR is not here for 100% accuracy. It never was. It was to stop the howler.”

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