Clubs agree to continue VAR testing

Manchester United have agreed with other Premier League clubs to continue advance testing of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) throughout the 2018/19 season.

The decision at a meeting of all 20 clubs on Friday came with a view to introducing the system, which has divided opinion among fans and media alike, in the top flight in the future.

In a statement, the Premier League said: “The decision came after comprehensive discussions regarding the progress made in VAR trials in English football, and key learnings from the many competitions using it elsewhere.

“The clubs recognised and are grateful for the substantial developments made by PGMOL Managing Director Mike Riley and his team. The clubs agreed that advanced testing will continue to the end of Season 2018/19 to make further improvements to the system, especially around communication inside the stadium and for those following at home and around the world.

“The Premier League will also be asking for VAR to be used more extensively in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in Season 2018/19.”

WHAT IS VAR?

The VAR, a fifth member of the team of match officials who is in constant communication with the on-field referee, has caused controversy since being trialled in the FA Cup and League Cup in England from January this year.

It is designed to only intervene for four major incidents – goals, red cards, penalties and mistaken identity – and will be in operation at the World Cup finals in Russia this summer.

HOW VAR HAS AFFECTED UNITED

The system has been employed in two games involving the Reds so far this term, in the FA Cup ties against Huddersfield and Brighton respectively.

There was a major talking point in the first half of United’s 2-0 fifth-round win over the Terriers when Juan Mata’s strike was disallowed, following a lengthy delay, for offside after referee Kevin Friend consulted with VAR Neil Swarbrick, who was monitoring several screens from a London studio.

Despite having a goal ruled out, Mata was philosophical about the decision and gave VAR his backing. “On the pitch, I didn’t know if I was offside or not because it was I think the line was very tight,” the Spaniard told MUTV after the game.

“I’m up for VAR and I think it is good for football especially to make important decisions and make it a little bit fairer but it seems like today it was not a very clear the decision against us and me. The good thing was that it was not needed [the goal] because we won anyway but I think we all wished it was quicker. I celebrated and it didn’t count.”

VAR had a much quieter night when it made its debut at Old Trafford last month, as there was no need for referee Andre Marriner to refer to the system during the Reds’ 2-0 quarter-final victory over Brighton.

United will also be hoping it won’t cause any controversy when it will be in place for the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley next weekend, with Marriner in the hotseat as the VAR to assist referee Anthony Taylor.

WHAT JOSE THINKS OF VAR
The boss is broadly in agreement with the system and feels it is time for the match officials to receive some support.

Speaking in a recent MUTV interview, Mourinho said: “When people ask us if we like it, if we don’t like it, if we agree with it or don’t agree with it, I think honestly it’s a question for the referees.

“They want to perform the best they can, they don’t like to make mistakes. And sometimes they make mistakes because it’s a human mistake and you cannot go over it unless you have some technological support. So, if the referees are happy with that technological support, then yes, let’s go for the VAR. I think, from my perspective, I like the feeling.”