Referee Chief Discusses VAR Access for Fans

On Monday evening, former referee Howard Webb talked through some of the two-way audio discussions from this season alongside Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said that airing conversations between on-pitch officials and VARs concerning key Premier League incidents is likely to become a regular event. The trio discussed incidents such as disallowed goals for Chelsea‘s Kai Havertz and Arsenal‘s Leandro Trossard against Liverpool and Leicester, respectively, plus the overturning of a penalty for an adjudged handball by Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior in their 2-0 win at Newcastle on May 7. Other incidents analysed were the overturning of an offside against Joelinton in Newcastle‘s 5-1 win at West Ham last month and a penalty given to Brentford in their 2-0 success over Bournemouth in January. Webb admitted that the decision for the penalty was incorrect as Bees striker Toney had initially fouled Cherries defender Senesi, blaming process rather than judgement due to the footage reviewed by VAR not beginning early enough. He said that going forward, they will be looking to do more of the same and draw back the curtain to reveal the way the officials work together as a team and some of the rationale for some of the decisions that have been taken.