Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane & Andy Cole on the Premier League potentially scrapping VAR 

VAR just shows how poor some referees are at their job...

VA is fine, the R is the problem

Recency bias in its finest, back in the non-VAR days. There seemed to be a robbery every weekend of a disallowed goal or a clear offside being allowed.

Basically blaming everything on var and not the officials using it

The fact that this is even in consideration is embarrassing. This isn't a talking point in any other top league because their respective referees and FA's aren't blindingly incompetent. It's like saying "People are really bad at driving these new fangled things called 'automobiles' so instead of teaching them how to drive without killing themselves, we'll just stick to the horse and buggy." It's insane.

It's not VAR, it's the refs. We've seen good uses of it all throughout the world.

There is a divide between people who actually go to the game and people who sit at home and watch it on TV.

Love how Cole still calls Keane "skip"

Fix VAR. Don't scrap it. It used to be 100 times worse when an clear error cost your team a win.

Just feel like the whole idea was rushed. What I can’t work out, is that if you watch the champions league or any other league outside of England, the referees are competent enough to use it. Need an overhaul of tops refs in our league.

If we scrap var now, i guarantee there will be numerous instnaces on the first weekend that pundits will say var would of gor the right decision

Scapping var just because of human error is stupid and a step in the wrong direction.

When it gets scspped watch all this pelt complain the opposite way.

My solutions for VAR - 1 - Bring in the semi-automated offside as it seems to work well whenever it's been used (similar to the goal line technology "Hawk Eye" - never get complaints about those decisions now - it just seems to work due to limited human involvement). 2 - No lines drawn for offside - if it's so close that you can't tell from a single still frame within 5-10 seconds, the on pitch decision stands or give the benefit to the attacker for being "in line". 3 - Have time limits on VAR checks - if they can't find an error within the time limit (say 30 seconds showing 2-3 different angles), the on pitch decision stands. 4 - If a penalty or red card offence is missed due to not having the right camera angle shown to the VAR during the check period the player gets an automatic 1 match ban following the game, which can be upgraded for red cards / violent conduct as necessary. 5 - If the referee communicates their onfield decision that the VAR can see is factually wrong (such as saying someone "played the ball" when challenging in the box but video shows they didn't - even if VAR considers there wasn't sufficient contact for a penalty) it should be an automatic referral to the pitchside monitor for the referee to make their new decision - same time limit applies to the referee's pitchside review as would for VAR. 6 - Referee's can ask to carry out a pitchside review of an incident they know they didn't get a good look at, under the same time limits as VAR would have. 7 - VAR officials selected from a completely separate pool to Referee's & Linesmen. 8 - VAR to have a separate management structure to the on pitch officials - including potentially a different organisation running it to PGMOL. 9 - If VAR realises they've made an error or that there has been miscommunication around the referee decision or the VAR decision, they should tell the referee to bring the game back and correct the mistake. 10 - Revise the handball rules - currently too many reasons penalties aren't given due to "subjective decisions" - for the sake of consistency a system similar to UEFA competitions, which removes some of those considerations should be adopted by the Premier League. 11 - Criticism of Referee's by managers, players, club officials, and club social media accounts can more often result in bans & point deductions rather than fines and warnings - cut that moaning out of the game. 12 - this includes an automatic 6 point deduction for any threats to take legal action over refereeing decisions, or attempts to influence the officials appointed to a particular match (or questioning the integrity of referee's) with no appeals - not saying they can't take legal action if they have genuine suspicion / evidence of match fixing, but don't threaten it as a way to try and pressure / influence referees & VAR. 13 - VAR audio should be available "live" - doesn't always have to be broadcast live or played in the stadium, but the TV people can play the audio of big decisions at half time / full time as part of their coverage. 14 - The 2 benches should have a live feed so someone from the clubs can hear the audio& see the images reviewed by VAR in real time so they understand the decisions being made. 15 - If the ground has a big screen, the VAR check images should be shown live to the crowd.

To me, VAR should only be applied in egregious cases where the on field call is undeniably wrong. Horror tackles for red, clear offsides, etc. When the play could go either way, just let the on field call stand. Being offside by a millimeter makes no difference and there's no way to know that the lines are drawn correctly

I once met Andy Cole in Kingston, Surrey absolute legend 😎

When Cole said ill leave that to the skip. Roy Keane needs to wear a skippers armband on in the studio

As a Burnley season ticket holder who's experienced VAR in the Prem and no VAR in The Championship, not having VAR is so much better. You can actually celebrate goals without that nagging feeling that it may still be ruled out. You also don't have to sit there for 5 minutes having zero idea of what's going on. Get rid!!

With automated offside next season, I don't see why VAR can't be scrapped

the issue isn't the technology but it's the way it was implemented and the way it's being used. it's nowhere near as big of an issue in other leagues across the world. scrapping VAR all together would be moving backwards. the EPL needs to change how they're using VAR, not completely get rid of it.

Rugby and cricket use video assistance really well. It still isn’t perfect and they still get a few things wrong but it is all there in the open for spectators to see and hear (or TV viewers at least - not sure about in the ground) and whether you agree or not it can be seen how decisions are arrived at. There is also a clear system of communication between the on field ref and the guys in the video room - not a rabble talking unintelligibly over each other which the prem seems to feel is an acceptable use of the technology. So my thoughts are consult rugby and cricket officials, establish protocols for clear methods of communication, stick it on the screen (every ground has one) and broadcast the audio live.

I feel var would be fine if it stuck to determining clear & obvious errors instead of looking if a player was a mm offside or looking at fouls in slow motion another thing that could improve it is if ex players were doing it instead of refs

What they should do is give a Team limited amount of challenges they can use per Game like they do in Basketball or Tennis. 2 or 3 per Team should do

We’ll have just as many controversies and wrong decisions made if VAR is scrapped. All it needs is huge reform, so for example have ex players in charge of VAR but as long as they don’t have any association with either clubs to avoid bias. So for example you couldn’t have Shearer in charge of VAR for a Newcastle game. I believe that offside technology has been introduced for next season as well which may help.

Goal line tech should stay yes. Offside calls should be semi auto like the World Cup and UCL. And limited appeals (like 2 appeals a game) by captains are fair. Have it transparent like Rugby with the ref speaking to the captain and has monitor access that has a Mike there. And scrap "clear and obvious" for "right and wrong" there's no in-between.

Please just get rid of it

Literally wayne said it perfectly. Takes all the enjoyment out of the game.

No one in the championship is moaning there’s no VAR. Football without it is miles better

Get that automated system for offsides but scrap VAR generally. But you know people are gonna complain the other way around if they do 😂🤦‍♂️

Howard Webb about to be queuing up at the job centre. 😂

82% accuracy for goal decisions to 96% with VAR according to sky sports. You can’t win.

Getting rid of it would be such a step backwards. Just make it better.

I dont think fans have a problem with VAR its the inconsistency

well said all three of you - get rid!

Don’t scrap VAR. Fix it.

If VAR goes then teams will be winning games by offside goals

I don’t think u can get rid of VAR now. It’s been implemented and it’s obviously getting a lot right even if some things are wrong. Can we go back to a football where if a goal is scored and it comes from a play involving a foul or offside and it stands, will fans accept that? Would that be right? I think VAR needs to be upgraded. Have we not got the technology for us to have it automatically call for offsides/ fouls? Instead of having someone interpret a foul and take 5 minutes to make a decision based off his own eyes. Instead it should be automatic and it tells the ref a straight up yes or no. Off side should be easy now. It’s a straight line. Get rid of linesmen and have a fully automated offside system. For fouls/ red cards should keep a screen on the side but definitely have a system that tells the ref if it’s a foul by the letter of the law. If the ref agrees he can get things moving quicker, if not he can make his decision and deal with the consequences.

They should introduce an appeal system like tennis hawk eye. And only two appeals per game and only offsides

I think VAR going would really hurt some teams, like Villa and Tottenham, that employ Offside traps. A lot more offside goals would be getting through against teams like that.

Gordon loves it because he plays it better than anyone for us, but even he wants it better 1:17

It was always going to come to this from day 1

its tough because it does get more right, however, having gone to a match live a couple weeks ago I can say that its terrible for the match going supporters. I had no idea a goal was disallowed after having celebrated it... i'd keep the offside VAR and maybe scrap the rest. for the most part watching on TV its a bit frustrating but less confusing

They should just have a var pannel of 10 who press buzzer to vote once seen replay - less likely to be error then if go with majority.

Yes please! Remove this VAR nonsense.

I love Var… especially when ur rival fans celebrate and then its disallowed… just priceless

Offside and goal line tech only

Only in England😂 Every other major league or competition who have implemented VAR have had no complaints. The referees just need to stop panicking and streamline the process, forget the grey area and decide specifically which decisions require VAR and which is solely in the hands of the referee. Once again proof that the best league has the worst refs.

It’s not VAR it’s the people Bring in a time limit of say a minute or 2 if it takes longer than that it’s not clear and obvious

It’s taken all the joy out of the game,even if someone sticks it in the top corner from 40 yards out your wondering if VAR will over rule it for some minor infringement in the build up to it

How difficult is it to separate VAR from PGMOL so they stop looking after each other instead of reffing the game? It's the obvious solution.

Var for offside seems really sensible. Same as goal line tech. Everything else, keep it with on-field ref.

Its only really a problem in the prem

Improve the system, make the rules work with VAR - like a clear understandable handball rule and keep going until it works.

They should have linesman on both sides of each half of the pitch.

I think we should stick with it but it needs to change and be clearer

I’ve had to stop watching live football the VAR is that annoying. If they scrap it I’ll be back to watching every week

VAR is also causing excess time added on at the end which means stop start running which is causing more injuries.

Get rid. I wouldn't mind just for offsides but the everything else it is ridiculous. Someone scores a goal and you have a team in analysing every second in ultra slowmo looking to disallow.

Ditch it 1000%

VAR in the premier league is one of the best I have seen, other leagues don't even show what is being reviewed and take twice the time or more

There's no going back at this point. Only way to go is try to improve it.

I don't want clubs losing points over offsides. I'm so surprised these ex players want that. I remember catastrophic mistakes and there is no getting back to times before VAR. I don't mind that it takes long, it's fair

VAR has a place. however, if they cant make a decision in 30 seconds then the on field decision should stand. The ref should never be told to go and watch a replay on a screen either so he can second guess his original decision. Wolves mentioned overreaching in their statement and that defintely feels to me the way it's gone.

Just give VAR full control over any big decisions. We're stuck between the old traditional "ref decision is final" authoritarian type decision and actually getting all the main calls correct by just using the technology at hand. If ref, linesman, var officials aren't 100% certain, have a look. Don't restart until certain. 🤷‍♂

Real Madrid scored a winning goal to get into the Champions League final. That goal was originally ruled offisde. I didn't see any Real Madrid fans moaning when the goal was shown to be onside by VAR.

VAR is like any tool-it's meant to be used correctly by those who understand it. When someone doesn't know how to use a tool properly, it's not the tool's fault. Other European leagues might not be as vocal about VAR because they might have found a better balance in its application or have different views on its effectiveness. The key is ensuring VAR is used appropriately by knowledgeable officials

People saying it’s the refs and not VAR have never been to a game in their life

The season after no VAR seasons fans would debate the opposite and try to bring back VAR

Seems to help the big teams more Coventry could have been in the final

Look who are talking.. Keane and Rooney used to be the ones who would lose heads and do something stupid. Pre-VAR they used to get away with that stuff. But now it is quite impossible. It has made the game fairer and spared the agony of that controversial penalty or offside call that would have changed the game.

Fix the personnel, VAR can help if used correctly

Keep VAR. I don't mind the waiting when it clearly reduces (not eliminates) chance of human error.

I feel like there should only be VAR if there is a claim of penalty and VAR should only be reviewing the penalty claim...which is fine because the game would be stopped anyways. But VAR should never intervene for offside or a foul in the build up.

When it gets scspped watch all this pelt complain the opposite way

If they keep VAR, they need to change the offside laws. Being called offside because of a toenail is ridiculous.

If they do get rid of it people need to understand that there will be an adjustment period at the start of next season. You let the game go when you know VAR will check it, so refs will have to adjust back to the old way of reffing

I probably wouldn’t get rid of it but I think it seriously needs to be looked at how it is being run. I feel like the tech is good, but the people running it are implementing it so poorly.

The PGMOL needs to go and study how VAR was used in the Africa Cup of Nations in Feb. It was a masterpiece of VAR usage and turned that tournament which used to be a masterclass in refereeing errors, into a masterclass of how to use technology to complement human expertise for near-perfect results.

Maybe allow managers to challenge calls 3 times in a game

I get why everyone wants it gone but it just needs better people in charge and have automated offside

VAR was brought in to improve decisions. Decisions have significantly improved with VAR. Now ex players want to make decisions worse so that players can celebrate goals that should have been given offside. It is a myth that players and managers used to accept bad decisions. That is the principle reason the technology was brought in. Nottingham Forest kicked off about VAR after the Everton game until they realised they could have been relegated if VAR wasn't used this year. (This season they have significantly been advantaged by correct VAR decisions)

Put they just need better refferes

The criticism for Refs is based on how they came to a decision. Before, you understand that refs have one look at something that happens in a fraction of a second. Unless it's blatantly obvious, you might grumble but will probably forget about it after a few minutes. Now they have 4 VAR refs spend 10 minutes looking at 6 different angles in slow motion, only to end up getting the wrong decision, and that sticks with you a lot more. I still think there's room for a VAR system, it should just be more like other sports where the team has a certain number of challenges per game and they have to trigger the appeal. If the team appeals, It should then be solely the on field ref who goes straight to the monitor and looks at a replay. Offside appeals should include no lines, the ref should just look at the still image and make a judgment if he thinks it's off or not.

just put it on hold until AI can instantly make the right decision. AI instantly whispers "goal" in the earbuds of the ref and then players + fans can celebrate right away and they know it counts on the spot.

Get rid of var for tackles and fouls, but please keep for checking offside. Or keep for fouls but replay incidents in normal speed not slowed down

Keep goal-line technology and semi-automated offside check from the Champs League. Everything else is up to the ref.

When VAR was first used during the 2018 world cup I thought it was going to be great for the game! Couldn't have been more wrong 😅 I think with semi automated off sides and goal line tech just go back to going with the refs calls

That would be so backwards. An easy fix would just be: only use VAR if there’s a clear and obvious error. Decisions have to be made within a few seconds. Otherwise, just stick with the refs decision.

Should just use goal line tech, the new uefa offside & obvious red cards

Maybe they should give each team 3 chances to take VAR per match. Only if the team asks for VAR there should be VAR and that too for a limited number of times in a match.

VAR has been used for 5 years now how has it not even been discussed removing it yet

Why could they not bring in a coaches, or managers, challenge........ for goals scored, or penalties etc.... and only go to VAR when a coach asks for a review..... limit the amount of challenges to 1 or 2 per game..... they do something similar in the NHL and it doesn't slow the game down as much.... but they still make the right call.

install semi automatic offside like they have in Italy and then scrap VAR for all other decisions.

VAR is a great system and has shown so in European matches and international tournaments. What VAR has done in England is expose the SHCOKING incompetence of the referees.

Goal line technology and semi assisted offsides. No other technology needed in football

It's not VAR it's the guys in the room utilising it incorrectly. Get new officials in and put them on trial periods to assess how well they do using the technology. It's been evident throughout the season that even for very straight forward offside calls, the guys in the room literally require minutes to use the tech properly and then make a call.

I don’t want them to get rid of it.

the just need to fix it. It works fine in rugby.

Roy Keane saying he accepted decisions back in the day.

Get RID!