Pundit demands VAR revolution as Premier League intervene in West Ham controversy
Noel Whelan has urged the Premier League to include ex-players in the VAR decision-making process amid an explosion of controversies involving West Ham and Newcastle, among others.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted VAR can be a “good thing” for the English top-flight if it can be implemented properly.
Gameweek six in the Premier League saw a number of contentious refereeing decisions which impacted teams up and down the table – including West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Arsenal.
According to the BBC (4 September), the PGMOL have accepted decisions which saw goals for West Ham and Newcastle disallowed were incorrect.
The report claims the refereeing body will fully co-operate and collaborate with the Premier League after they requested a review of the decisions.
Whelan insisted the current VAR officials “are not fit for purpose”.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “VAR can be a good thing.
“You just need people up there who have the common sense to see certain things. Right now, the people sitting in these chairs are not fit for purpose.
“They might be referees or ex-referees – but they’re not football players.
“You need ex-players to see things the referees can’t. People who have knowledge of the game, who know what is and isn’t a foul, who know what a player is thinking.
“All they’ve got right now are robots who are getting decisions wrong consistently.
“They need some experience of people who have actually been out there on the field. Let them have a look – it could be invaluable.”
In other news, pundit on England star being axed from West Ham XI after latest.