Keith Hackett

Mon 19 December 2022 11:14, UK

Keith Hackett has suggested a time limit should be introduced on VAR after Tottenham striker Harry Kane missed his second penalty in England’s 2-1 loss to France in the World Cup quarter-finals last week (10 December).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted a 30-second timer should be introduced for VAR to overturn a decision.

In England’s defeat to France, Kane was made to wait as the referee checked whether Mason Mount had been fouled by Theo Hernandez.

The 29-year-old then subsequently blazed the spot-kick over the bar and his side failed to find an equaliser.

As quoted by the Telegraph last week (12 December), Fifa technical committee member Jurgen Klinsmann suggested the long delay caused the striker to “overthink”.

“He’s right,” Hackett told Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.

“One of the reasons, as referees, you employ a sports psychologist is to deal with pressure situations and how to take it out of your mind.

“First of all, anybody who is under pressure, if you take a deep breath and breathe out that is a relief of pressure in a natural way.

“I hope that the England manager has used a sports psychologist who has gone through the process of ensuring the pressure is dealt with.

“The reality is, we’ve got gamesmanship by goalkeepers and delays by VAR that brings this problem to the fore.

“There is no doubt that, if you are standing there, and have already put one in the back of the net and are facing your club colleague the pressure will be coming through.

“It was a big moment and the very best players deal with those pressures.

“I’d like a 30-second clock on VAR. If VAR cannot make a decision within 30 seconds, it’s not a clear and obvious error.

“In the room at Stockley Park or wherever, I think there should be a buzzer that goes off after 30 seconds to say, time out, it’s too late.”

In other news, a club is close to signing a Tottenham sensation and a 1 January move is expected.