Alex Neil admits he may have to rein any goal celebrations if Sunderland score in this weekend's play-off final - at least until VAR has had its say. The video assistant referee technology was introduced in the Premier League in 2019 and has also been used in some FA Cup games and showpiece finals, but grounds below top flight level have not been equipped with the technology.
But Saturday's game against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley will be the first time both Neil and the Black Cats have encountered VAR. It means there will be a different level of scrutiny on the game, with the experienced Premier League official Lee Mason on duty watching replays of goals and key incidents this weekend.
In the top flight, VAR has changed the way that players, fans and managers react when the ball hits the net, with an anxious wait while a check is made before the goal is either given or ruled out. Neil smiled: "The only difference for me is that I'm not sure I'll want to celebrate too much if we score, because if it is then taken away I'm not sure I could handle that sort of disappointment! I might have to rein myself in a little bit if we do manage to get a goal."
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Neil has no problem with VAR being used in the final, although in the longer-term he says he would like to see the rules tweaked to give more leeway to the attacking team where tight offside decisions are made. "Providing the fair decisions are made, in our favour or not, I don't think you can have any complaints," he said.
"The only grumble I would have is that I don't like the idea that somebody's armpit is offside by a millimetre. I do think there needs to be an element of grace somewhere.
"People talk about giving the advantage to the forwards, but I don't think that's the case with VAR. That's my personal preference, because you'd like to see more goals given, wouldn't you? And if someone's big toe is offside, that's a shame."
VAR will not only check goals, but also important decisions such as penalty claims, red card decisions, and any off-the-ball incidents that a referee might miss. Neil said: "If somebody makes a decision or a rash one, it will be an individual mistake in that moment.
"What you need to be as a player is conscious of the fact that every movement is repeatable and it is going to be scrutinised, so don't do anything silly that might potentially hurt the rest of the team."
Saturday's game will have a Premier League referee in charge in Wiltshire-based Simon Hooper, and Neil welcomes the decision to bring in an experienced top-flight official. He said: "It's just a question of levels, isn't it?
"You'd think that a Premier League referee would be able to control the game with more ease. If you compare managers, players, or referees at League One level or at Premier League level, you'd like to think that the level of difference would be the calmness, the control, the understanding of what is required in that moment.
"I'm glad they've put an experienced, good, referee in charge of the game. Obviously I'm hoping he makes all the right decisions - whether they go in our favour or not, as long as they are right, that's what matters."
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