Neil Warnock has outlined five changes which he believes will help improve VAR in the Premier League. The former QPR and Sheffield United boss believes his five-point plan will upgrade and enhance the technology currently used in England’s elite division.
Warnock, 74, shared his views on social media recently and he has caused quite a stir, with VAR being continuously criticised after a number of controversial decisions already in the 2023/24 campaign.
30 Second Time Limit On Decisions
VAR checks on decisions can often run in to the minutes and Neil Warnock believes it should be capped at just 30 seconds. Admittedly, the VAR officials will often want to run incidents back time and time again to make sure they get it correct, but Warnock isn’t a fan. “They must put a time limit on it. I’ve always said, ‘If you can’t see a fault in 30 seconds go with what the ref originally decided,” he said.
Stop Using Slow-Mo Replays
Slow-mo replays are becoming more and more common when questionable incidents are being checked, but do the replays make said incidents look worse? Warnock believes so, as the game itself is played at a much faster pace so to continuously check things in this manner doesn’t really provide justice. It would perhaps be more beneficial to use both forms of replay, in slow-mo and in real time.
Love to hear your thoughts on this and what you would do with VAR
Getting rid of it isn’t an option though! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/aKasxCNqzN
— Neil Warnock (@warnockofficial) November 15, 2023
Must Be Daylight Between The Attacker And Defender For Offside
The offside rule has been hotly debated in recent times and was changed at the start of the current Premier League season, but it still appears to be confusing to fans, players, managers and officials. Warnock has suggested that clear daylight must be between the attacker and defender, rather than a shoulder or hand which can prove tricky to judge in certain situations.
Allow Refs The Freedom To Use More Common Sense
Premier League referees are becoming more reliant on VAR and technology to help them out when an incident has occurred, and Warnock has suggested that refs should go back to having the freedom of using more common sense when making vital decisions. Warnock wants to end the era of ‘robot officials’ and restore the human element of decision-making.
Appoint And Independent Group Of Ex-Players And Coaches To Operate VAR
Warnock has often vented his displeasure with the level of refereeing during his heyday and he feels that ex-players and coaches should operate the VAR technology. “VAR must be taken away from refs. Howard and his PGMOL group can manage it — but they should educate an independent group of ex-players and managers to be in the video room. When it comes to the football side, such as interpreting deliberate or dangerous play, they often get it wrong. You need to have played to understand certain things,” he said.
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