BREAKING: Ex-Fifa official: Liverpool told two major changes needed after ‘100%’ VAR reveal
Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League should have specialist VAR operators who receive specific training, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after one of the masterminds behind VAR called for the changes.
VAR pioneer Raymond van Meenen told the Daily Mail last month (20 August) that there should be VAR-specific officials with special training.
VAR has continued to cause controversy this season and the PGMOL were forced to accept mistakes were made in Chelsea’s win over West Ham and Newcastle United’s draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday (3 September).
Asked whether he agrees that specific coaching is needed, Hackett told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley: “Absolutely, 100 per cent.
“It’s what I’ve been saying. Not only does he say that, he also says that it needs be an independent panel, they shouldn’t have active referees and I agree 100 per cent.
“Well done to the guy who worked on it and invented it has actually come to the same conclusion I’ve had for two years.
“Howard Webb has got the opportunity to offload some of the older referees, some that have given good service.
“Andre Marriner is one. When you compare his movement on the field of play to someone like Stuart Attwell’s. He makes it for some of that lack of speed and pace through game reading.
“50 should be the age limit for referees on the Premier League. Anybody beyond that should be operating as VAR. It’s straightforward.
“That shouldn’t stop Championship referees of that age stopping and training as VAR.
