Premier League referees divided against VAR rule change

A potential rule change that would allow fans to listen to conversations between match officials and VAR (Video Assistant Referee) teams during matches has faced opposition from Premier League referees, as revealed by Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive and a director at IFAB, the body responsible for setting the laws of the game.

The proposal to provide live audio access to these conversations was aimed at enhancing transparency in the decision-making process during matches.

However, a noticeable divide exists on this idea between the officials on the field and the individuals responsible for marketing and commercial aspects of the sport.

Mark Bullingham addressed the issue, stating,

“That is something we have talked about in multiple IFAB meetings. Generally, there is a split in the room over that, and quite often it is between the marketing-and-commercial people and the referees.”

The marketing and commercial perspective leans toward favoring transparency as an important factor in providing the best possible experience for fans.

Bullingham acknowledged the importance of having fans in the stadium knowledgeable about the happenings on the pitch as much as those watching the game on television.

His comments come on the back of a major refereeing controversy in the premier league that was climaxed in the game between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur last month.