Ex-Fifa official: Antonio Conte could shape major referee change after Tottenham controversy
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte’s views on VAR can shape how it is used in the future, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee admitted he shared some of Conte’s “frustrations” with the current system.
The 53-year-old was left disappointed after VAR reversed the decision to award Tottenham a penalty in their 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Wednesday night (31 August).
Peter Bankes initially pointed to the spot for a handball by Aaron Cresswell before overturning his decision when he reviewed in the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Conte told the BBC’s Match of the Day programme that it would be better for the Premier League “to go without VAR”.
The Italian insisted English officials are not capable of operating the system and it should be “cut”.
“I share some of his frustrations with it, there are some consistencies in it,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley
“We haven’t seen VAR used in this country as well as we have overseas and that’s down to a lack of leadership and guidance.
“Let’s hope that when Howard Webb does come in he gets this quickly sorted and we get a degree of consistency with how it operates.
“Managers should have an input. We know it’s not working efficiently, not everybody is happy with it and there’s a lack of communication and consistency.
“Therefore I agree with what he’s saying and I think he’s right to come out and say he’s not happy with decisions.
“Generally, he’s making a valid point – it’s got to be better than it is at the moment.”
In other news, a Tottenham idol has been left “surprised” by Antonio Conte after a Clement Lenglet decision.