Liverpool involved in major VAR review with Howard Webb set to break the silence
Liverpool is set to be involved in a significant VAR review during their match against Leicester City on Monday. According to reports, Howard Webb, the chief of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), will break his silence on the matter by joining Sky Sports' Monday Night Football studio as a guest. The introduction of VAR technology in English football has attracted constant scrutiny, and there has been a growing demand for transparency in the decision-making process. This season, there have been calls to make the audio between the match referee and VAR officials available to the public, allowing fans to gain more clarity on contentious decisions.
The Premier League is reportedly planning to trial the broadcasting of conversations between referees and VAR officials, allowing spectators to hear them for the first time since the technology was introduced. Howard Webb will join Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville on the show, an hour-and-a-half before kick-off at the King Power Stadium, to analyze footage of high-profile calls throughout the season while making the conversations audible. This move is expected to shed light on decisions involving Liverpool, such as incidents concerning Diogo Jota and Oliver Skipp during their thrilling encounter at Anfield last month. Skipp's late lunge on Luis Diaz, which connected with the Colombian's ankle but went unpunished, left Tottenham Hotspur caretaker boss Ryan Mason furious. Jota, who later scored the winning goal, received a caution for a high boot on Skipp, which further fueled controversy.
Currently, FIFA rules prohibit live broadcasting of these conversations to fans, but there is a possibility that audio may be made available after the match. It remains unclear whether the audio from Liverpool's match against Leicester will be released immediately after the game, but there are hints that it could be accessible if deemed necessary during the 90 minutes.
This development comes in response to several highly controversial VAR incidents throughout the season. In fact, Howard Webb had to call a "crisis meeting" following contentious moments in matches such as Chelsea's visit to West Ham, Arsenal's clash with Brentford, and Crystal Palace's draw with Brighton in February. These incidents have sparked widespread debate and criticism, leading to a demand for greater transparency and accountability in VAR decisions.
Apart from his appearance on Sky Sports, Howard Webb will also participate in a similar program with Premier League Productions, aimed at international audiences, alongside Michael Owen. Webb's expertise in refereeing has extended beyond the UK, as he previously served as the head of refereeing in Major League Soccer in the United States, where he covered similar topics.
In conclusion, Liverpool's match against Leicester City on Monday is expected to be a significant moment for VAR, with Howard Webb breaking his silence and allowing fans to hear the conversations between referees and VAR officials. This move aims to provide more transparency and clarity in decision-making, addressing the controversies that have surrounded VAR throughout the season.
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