Tottenham expert backs ‘massive’ Premier League change after Antonio Conte quotes emerge
Alan Hutton has backed Tottenham manager Antonio Conte’s idea for referees to have weekly meetings to discuss decisions (1 October).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs right-back said it would be a “massive plus” to have referees “on the same wave length”.
Emerson Royal was sent off in the second half of a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal for a challenge on Gabriel Martinelli.
Referee Anthony Taylor showed the defender a straight red card, and the VAR official stuck with the on-field decision.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the defeat (1 October), Conte revealed that referees in Italy meet every Thursday to evaluate decisions.
The Italian boss added that VAR has to be at a “high level” and every decision has to be “top”.
Hutton said Conte’s suggestion is something the Premier League should look to implement.
“I know people were all shouting for having ex-professionals in with the VAR, but it is never going to happen,” he told Football Insider.
“It was a half decent idea but it is very subjective. What I did like was what Conte said, the idea of having the refs and VAR officials meeting up a few days before the game, going through all the incidents, getting on the same wave length.
“I think that could be a massive plus moving forward. Everybody is seeing the same incidents, at the same time, they are talking through it and getting reasons for their decisions. So I think that could be something to look at moving forward.“
In other news, a pundit has issued ‘malicious’ Tottenham claim after analysing controversial footage ‘again and again’.