Referees' boss Howard Webb will reveal VAR audio conversations on Monday night - and it could become a regular thing next season.
PGMOL chief Webb will appear on a special Monday Night Football show at 6.30pm before Leicester ’s game with Liverpool and explain some key decisions from the 2022/23 season. Sky pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher will also be taking part as they discuss the conversations which are recorded between referees and VARs and also discuss key decision making.
Lawmakers IFAB have given the green light as they will not block audio recordings being used - as long as they are not used live. That is something that broadcasters are pushing for in the future.
It is hoped that the extra clarity will help fans understand decisions and could then be used more regularly from next season to allow referees to explain big moments in games. It is a pure coincidence that it is being done before a Liverpool game even though Jurgen Klopp has been involved in several flashpoints this season.
Liverpool boss Klopp was involved in an angry exchange with referee Paul Tierney during his team’s win over Tottenham last month when the audio captured their conversation. It came after the German had celebrated wildly in front of fourth official John Brooks, something that saw him cautioned and charged by the FA.
Meanwhile, match officials have also continued to make headlines in the recent round of Premier League fixtures. Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil suggested that he would be having conversation with Webb.
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He accused Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen of breaking Jefferson Lerma's nose with a punch during a 2-0 defeat at Selhurst Park. Neither the referee nor VAR dealt out any further punishment.
Speaking at full-time, O'Neil said: “Andersen punched Lerma in the face, Jefferson has a broken nose. I'm not sure what we have to do to get a penalty. It's difficult on the pitch to see that, but I have no idea how VAR can give it as check complete.
"He [Lerma] was in pain, his nose is broken, it was a strange inciden t. But there are other things I need to talk about. A penalty could have made a difference but Palace were far better."
He added: “It was a significant blow to Jefferson’s face with closed fists,” before confirming that he would be talking to PGMOL chief Webb next week for specific reasons as to why his side were not awarded a penalty.
Elsewhere, a 26 minute show entitled - Match Officials: Mic’d Up - featuring Michael Owen and Webb will also be shown to overseas viewers as part of the Premier League Productions package for foreign rights holders.
