Premier League Managers Speak Out on VAR Controversy
The VAR controversy during last Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur continues to dominate headlines in the Premier League. The error, which saw Liverpool’s Luis Diaz’s goal incorrectly disallowed, has sparked widespread debate and calls for action.
Following the incident, it has been reported that VAR official Darren England will not officiate any of Liverpool’s remaining matches this season. This decision by the Professional Match Game Officials Limited (PGMOL) has raised concerns and led to a discussion among Premier League managers.
One manager, speaking anonymously, expressed his concern over the decision to remove Simon Hooper from future matches after he failed to award Wolves a penalty during their game against Manchester United. He believes that this decision created uncertainty among referees and pressure to avoid mistakes.
Brentford’s Thomas Frank commented on the situation, saying that people make mistakes and it is important to accept them and learn from them. Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea coach, shared his distrust in referees and VAR, stating that he trusts VAR but not the driver behind it. He argued for more involvement from referees in the decision-making process.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stressed the need for support for referees and understanding that mistakes can happen. He warned that excessive pressure could make it difficult for them to manage games effectively. Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou was surprised by the decision to remove England from Liverpool games, emphasizing that it was a human error and not something that required such drastic action.
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom called for consistency in VAR decisions and suggested implementing interventions to rectify clear errors. Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil refrained from commenting on the specific incident but hoped for a solution that allows all referees to officiate all teams.
Overall, the Premier League managers expressed a mix of opinions regarding the VAR controversy and the decision to remove officials from matches involving certain teams. While some argued for understanding and support for referees, others called for improvements in the decision-making process and interventions to correct clear errors.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Premier League and PGMOL will address these concerns and ensure fair and consistent officiating going forward.