Premier League managers demand two major changes to VAR after Arteta rant
The League Managers' Association (LMA) have revealed that Premier League bosses are demanding changes to VAR after Mikel Arteta branded the current system as "embarrassing" and a "disgrace".
Arteta's comments came following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday, as the Gunners felt Anthony Gordon's winning goal should not have stood. First, Arsenal claimed the ball went out of play in the build-up. Gabriel also appealed for a foul as he and Joelinton went up for a header, while another check took place to see if Gordon was offside before he stabbed the ball home from close-range.
The Arsenal boss claimed he felt "ashamed" that the goal was awarded and admitted the level of officiating is "not good enough" as their unbeaten start in the top flight came to a crushing end. Arteta doubled down on his criticism of VAR ahead of his side's Champions League game against Sevilla as he claimed the system is going to "stink at some point" - and also called on fellow managers to express their frustration.
Since the incident at St James' Park, talks have intensified between the LMA and referees' body PGMOL over changes that needs to be made to the VAR system. Speaking to the Daily Mail, LMA chief executive Richard Bevan has revealed that Premier League managers want a VAR specialist included within the close team of officials during every match, while bosses also hope to see a review of the term 'clear and obvious' in decision-making.
Bevan said: "The managers strongly feel that a VAR specialist should be considered a member of the close team of officials (Referee, 4th Official, Assistant Referees and VAR specialist) that become one unit for every game they are officiating together.
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"The use of officiating teams, with referees and assistant referees regularly working together, has already proven beneficial and produced positive results. PGMOL have confirmed to us that they are actively looking at how best to incorporate VARs into match-day refereeing teams, to ensure the dynamic between on-field referee and VAR is conducive to producing positive outcomes.
Mikel Arteta was left incensed after Arsenal lost 1-0 at Newcastle (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)"The managers are also calling for a review (and simplification) of the interpretation of the term 'clear and obvious' in VAR decision-making, as this is a cause of much confusion at present."
Newcastle's winning goal was not the only controversial VAR talking point from last weekend's round of Premier League fixtures. Jurgen Klopp felt Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw against Luton on Sunday, while Gary O'Neil was once again left incensed after Fabio Silva was judged to have fouled George Baldock inside the area during Wolves' defeat at Sheffield United.
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