MX23RW : Thursday, April 24 12:54:09| >> :600:162499611:162499611:

David Elleray expects VAR monitor use to increase next season

David Elleray expects VAR monitor use to increase next season
© Reuters
Referees are advised to use pitchside monitors sparingly in the Premier League.

The technical director of football's law-making body says he would be "astonished" if the Premier League maintained its policy of using pitchside monitors sparingly next season.

Former top-flight referee David Elleray, who now works for the game's law-makers the International Football Association Board, said his organisation had done a survey of 6,000 matches where video assistant referee (VAR) technology was used which found that 75 per cent of reviews were carried out using pitchside monitors.

He said any competition significantly beneath that three-quarter mark was "clearly out of step".

The English situation is different from a lot of the rest of the world and I would be astonished if it remained as it was next season

David Elleray on pitchside monitor use in England

The advice to Premier League referees in VAR's first season in the English top flight has been to use them sparingly, in a bid to minimise delays. Referees in the Premier League have used them twice so far this season, but are now instructed to do so for red card decisions where it is felt they should have the final say.

But Elleray expects them to go much further next season on subjective decisions.

"The English situation is different from a lot of the rest of the world and I would be astonished if it remained as it was next season," he said at the IFAB's annual general meeting in Belfast.

"I think it's very difficult for any significant change to be made during the season. The vast majority of competitions believe that the vast majority of subjective decisions should have an on-field review.

Referee Andrew Madley checks the VAR screen before rescinding a red card shown to Crystal Palace's Joel Ward against Sheffield United
Referee Andrew Madley checks the VAR screen before rescinding a red card shown to Crystal Palace's Joel Ward against Sheffield United (Tess Derry/PA)

"Equally there are times where a factual decision like an offside decision may not need an on-field review but if it's the FA Cup or Champions League final then it's better for the referee to go to see it to manage the decision."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: "I think and I understand there have been some discussions in England... some experiences from abroad have been shared, some improvements are being made. To put it very (simply) if there is a little bit more on-field review I think we solve many of the issues as well, in terms of some decisions. Once this is done, it is OK."

It is understood the Premier League will be speaking to its clubs at its next shareholders' meeting in April about how VAR is implemented next season.

The technical and football advisory panels of IFAB will look at improving ways in which VAR decisions are communicated in future.

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell, left, says he is keen for VAR to be introduced
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell, left, says he is keen for VAR to be introduced (Jeff Holmes/PA)

The IFAB also committed to looking at ways to make VAR more attainable for leagues without the budget of the 'big five' European leagues.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell said his organisation was keen to take VAR forward.

"We are going through the process with IFAB, and that's something we are looking to take forward," he said. "Whether it's VAR-lite or not is up for debate."

ID:391354: cacheID:391354:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7116:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Read more about David Elleray Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33247275314479
2Arsenal341813363293467
3Manchester CityMan City34187966432361
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest33186953391460
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331851062441859
6Chelsea33169858401857
7Aston Villa3416995449557
8Bournemouth3313101052401249
9Fulham33139114845348
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton33121295353048
11Brentford33137135650646
12Crystal Palace341112114347-445
13Everton33814113440-638
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd33108153846-838
15Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33115174861-1338
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs331141861511037
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3399153755-1836
18Ipswich TownIpswich3349203371-3821
19Leicester CityLeicester3346232773-4618
20Southampton3325262478-5411


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!