Premier League referees' chief Howard Webb has revealed that listening live to match officials' decisions is not permitted under FIFA rules.
In a groundbreaking moment, PGMOL head Webb spoke to Sky Sports on the Monday Night Football show, offering audio clips of discussions between referees and the VARs during Premier League matches this season. The overturned penalty for Newcastle against Arsenal recently and Kai Havertz's handball against Liverpool were among the moments looked at closely.
There have been numerous calls for supporters watching on TV to be allowed to hear what the referee is saying to players on the field, much like they do in Rugby Union. Rugby officials are mic'd up, as football referees are, but fans can hear what happens live when they speak to the TMO (Television Match Official) and even the players.
