Releasing audio of video assistant referee (VAR) decisions is a “small step forward” in providing clarity around incidents, according to referees’ chief Howard Webb. The application of VAR technology has been questioned and criticised by managers, players and pundits throughout the Premier League season. In a bid to improve transparency, Webb appeared on Sky Sports to talk through how key decisions were reached, alongside pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.
“We’re looking to do this [release audio] as much as we possibly can,” Webb said on Monday Night Football. “Tonight is obviously something new. We’re making a small step forward. Going forward into next season we will look to do more of the same. We can’t play it live, Fifa don’t allow us to play it out during the game – who knows where that might go in the future – but there is nothing to stop us showing that information later.”
In-game audio was released by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) from six matches this season, with supporters able to hear the discussions before Webb offered further insight. For example, in the Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal match, VAR Michael Salisbury overturned a penalty decision for handball when Bruno Guimaraes’ shot struck Jakub Kiwior. Replays showed the ball had first hit the defender’s thigh before any contact with his arm. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said: “It’s come off the thigh then on to the arm, it’s definitely not a penalty. I don’t know why the Newcastle fans are so irate.”
Webb explained: “There are two things on this one. The ball clearly strikes the thigh – the shorts move – and also the arm is moving back into the body and makes the player smaller. The arm is not in the position the referee thought it was. I’m really keen to make sure that our use of VAR is consistent. This one is a good use of VAR because it is different to what the referee saw. There is still some case for the referee to review the decision on this one.”
In another match, Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool, VAR Kavanagh informed referee Anthony Taylor that the ball had gone in off Chelsea forward Kai Havertz’s arm after his initial shot rebounded off goalkeeper Alisson. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Arsenal defender Matt Upson said: “You can see on the replay he just holds his elbow up. It’s a good save from Alisson really because he does stay big and it comes off Havertz’s arm and ricochets back into the net.” Webb commented: “It’s an opportunity for the VAR officials to see something the on-field referee couldn’t. You hear Taylor say he thinks it hits the chest, but we know if it goes in off the arm it has to be disallowed.”
In another incident, Brentford 2-0 Bournemouth, VAR Marriner supported referee Jarred Gillett’s decision to award Brentford a penalty because of a foul by Marcos Senesi on Ivan Toney, despite Toney appearing to hold the defender’s arm before the foul occurred. Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil called the decision to award the penalty “scandalous”, but Webb said: “I don’t think there’s anything to suggest that is a clear error, but obviously we’re not only checking the final action but also the phase that leads into that decision… The sequence didn’t start early enough. It’s a matter of process as opposed to judgement. Toney locks in and traps his arm and this should be penalised with a free-kick for Bournemouth.” He added: “We know that long checks can cause some frustration but we’re hoping that by playing these audios out you can see there’s a process. We can’t sacrifice accuracy for speed.”