Gary Neville has hinted at a potential VAR solution amid criticism coming from the Chelsea and Arsenal Premier League fixtures in game week 6 of the 2022/23 campaign.
Maxwell Cornet, Jarrod Bowen, Edouard Mendy, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were the players at the centre of the VAR controversy from the last round of games last weekend. On Saturday, Cornet thought he had snatched a point for West Ham away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. However, the VAR told referee Andrew Madley to review his on-field decision as the technology had spotted a possible foul from Bowen on Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy that led to the Senegalese potentially fumbling the ball.
After minutes of review, Madley took the VARs advice on board and ruled out the goal, to the fury of Declan Rice and manager David Moyes who both labelled the decision 'scandalous.' On Sunday, Arsenal became the next to feel aggrieved by the use of the technology. Odegaard dispossessed United star Christian Eriksen in the middle of the pitch, which resulted in the Gunners breaking away and opening the scoring through Martinelli.
READ MORE: Premier League make VAR call after Chelsea v West Ham and Newcastle v Crystal Palace controversy
Similarly to the Cornet incident, Paul Tierney was ordered to look at the screen on the side of the pitch and after a second review, just like Madley, changed his mind on his initial decision, one that was met with warmth from the United home faithful and disgust from the travelling Arsenal fans.
But amid the severe backlash VAR has faced this weekend, Neville - as well as labelling it a very 'bad' weekend for the operators at Stockley Park - has urged supporters be a little more patient as the former United right-back has hinted at a solution which he believes can help with improving its usage. Interestingly enough, that doesn't involve having former players joining referees in the VAR room, an option that has been suggested by many.
"Do you know something Martin [Tyler'], me and you were there today, we watched that Eriksen-Odegaard incident back four, five or six times and at half time we discussed it," Neville kicked off the conversation on his latest Sky Sports podcast.
"There was an angle where I thought that was soft, but then there was another angle where Odegaard's left or right knee goes into the side of Eriksen's leg and I think that could be something worth looking at as he never got the ball either.
"The lads in the studio at half-time didn't seem to make their mind up either, so I don't think it's time for these experts/people who played the game to sit in the VAR studio. The biggest problem is that they are sat remotely in a studio, 250 miles away on their own.
"They are detached completely from the emotion of the game and they are asked to make a decision."
Chelsea and Arsenal fans- Would having a VAR room at every stadium help with the right calls being made in the long-term? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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