Robinson ‘100 per cent’ backs radical change after Joe Willock controversy at Newcastle United
Paul Robinson has backed ex-players to operate VAR after Newcastle United were denied a winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday (3 September).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one said having ex-footballers as the sole VAR operators would improve the standard of officiating.
Eddie Howe’s side looked to have opened the scoring when Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell turned the ball into his own net.
However, referee Michael Salisbury ruled out the goal after being told to consult the pitch-side monitor on the advice of VAR official Lee Mason.
The officials deemed Joe Willock to have fouled Vicente Guaita prior to the goal, even though the contact was caused by a push from Mitchell.
As heard on talkSPORT (4 September), the decision has been widely condemned by pundits, with some suggesting ex-players should be brought in to help officials operate VAR.
When asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the potentially radical change, Robinson said: “It would make sense but only if we got rid of VAR officials and put ex-players in that position.
“That is the difference. For that to work it has to be one person in there to make the decision. One person has to make the ruling.
“If you are going to put two people there, a VAR official and an ex-player there is going to be confrontation. There would be differences of opinion. It would take too long.
“We are trying to streamline it down and make it shorter. We need decisions to be made quickly.
“If it is just an ex-player as the VAR official then yes, 100 per cent I would support it.”
In other news, a pundit has suggested the real reason Martin Dubravka left Newcastle United after clause revealed.