EPL fans who are confused complain about VAR

The use of VAR for the first time in the Premier League left fans and experts confused at the weekend, driving demand for change.

The Video Assistant Referee system, which was previously used in England in the FA and League Cups, should eliminate doubts that the right decision has been taken over goals, penalties and other important moments.

There are several calls which are debated. They included a penalty that was repeated by Sergio Aguero from Manchester City for breaking the limit by a 5-0 defender from West Ham. There was also a goal disallowed for Wolverhampton Wanderers Leander Dendoncker because of teammate Willy Boly's ball in the arm before he scored.

"We have to play with our hands cut off in the future," was the reaction of Wolves captain Conor Coady.

Shearer, however, took the trouble by leaving paying fans inside the stadium unaware of why the decision had been taken or mastered.


TV viewers, by contrast, saw images being studied by VAR referees - based in a studio on the outskirts of the city in west London - even though they could not hear conversations between officials.

"What would be a big improvement for me if the fans really could hear what the referees heard from VAR officials," Shearer wrote in his column for The Sun.

"After all, fans pay money to be inside the stadium and watch their team play, so if they can hear why the referees or VAR officials make certain decisions then it will benefit everyone.



"If they know why the decision was made and they can hear it then it will give them a better understanding of what is happening."

The lack of transparency is highlighted in Martin Samuel's column for The Daily Mail, where he revealed that after the match, the directors of West Ham and Manchester City did not know why Aguero's penalty had been taken back.

"The reason for the rethink was sent, via email, to members of the press about 10 minutes after the incident; maybe when the Premier League heard even City fans, whose team benefited from the call, entertaining officials with a choir. About, 'What happened? ' "Samuel wrote.

Former leading British referee Keith Hackett agrees on the need for transparency in his column for The Daily Telegraph.

"My final request, however, is for greater emphasis on transparency," Hackett wrote.

"The Premier League must publish, as a matter of routine, the details of all VAR checks made during the match, detailing what they are for and what their verdicts are.

"I would also be interested in the video recording being studied at Stockley Park (where VAR referees are based) playing on the big screen in the field, so that fans can understand what is happening in real time.

"Innovations can be difficult to accept - the more transparent and open the authorities are about how they are used, and why, the better for everyone."