Following a number of controversial VAR decisions, the Premier League is set to review the implementation of this decision-review system.
With over 100 matches having been played so far this season, VAR has overturned 26 decisions. This includes a number of debatable instances where the accuracy of VAR has been brought into question.
Arsenal and Everton are the latest recipients of harsh decisions courtesy of VAR. While Arsenal had a late winner against Crystal Palace disallowed, Everton lost their match partly because of a late penalty awarded to Brighton.
At the root of this debacle is the lack of involvement from on-field referees. Despite the high number of incidents reviewed by VAR, no matchday referee has yet to make use of the on-screen monitors. Had they done so, many of these controversial calls may not have been enforced.
The root of the referees’ decisions not to consult the on-screen monitors comes from the instruction of Premier League referee chief Mike Riley.
The justification behind this decision is that too much use of the on-screen monitors may result in too much delay. For this reason, Premier League referees have resorted to trusting the decisions made by the VAR official at Stockley Park.
