A former Premier League referee has voiced his concern over the controversial video assistant referee system.
Keith Hackett who refereed major competitions such as the 1981 FA cup final said the new system takes power away from the on-the-field officials.
He also said the technology was exposing the on-field referees to criticism from spectators.
Mr Hackett, aged 75 said: “We’re consistently getting decisions that put into question how the VAR is being operated in England.
“We’re out of sync with the rest of the world and what concerns me is we are taking away some of the power and authority of the man in the middle and passing it on to another referee in fairness, however he’s at Stockley Park.
“I agree in terms of offside. You want the man at Stockley Park to make that call in terms of subjective decisions.”
VAR was introduced for the first time in a major competition for the 2018 Russia world cup after being vigorously tested for the two years previous to the competition.
After being mostly successful in the World Cup the decision was made to use the technology in the 2019/20 Premier League season, in which it has been involved in huge controversies since.
Most recently Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero had a goal ruled offside in the Manchester derby even though he seemed to be just onside even after a VAR check.
Earlier on in the season Sheffield United thought they had taken the lead against reigning champions Man City, however their goal was disallowed as striker Lys Mousset’s toe nail was judged to be offside.
Many fans have said that the use of VAR should be withdrawn from the Premier League until it has been improved although Hackett doesn’t believe that should be the case.
He added: “I don’t think that the standard is poor. What we have is a competition that’s viewed by 211 territories around the world there are a minimum of 22 cameras at each game so therefore the exposure of the Premier League referees is massive compared to other countries and i feel that does give them problems.
“I feel there is a process a referee makes. Number one – he has to see the incident then he thinks about it and then he makes his decision and that’s the process.
“I feel at times the refs aren’t seeing everything and I question if they are fit to pass an annual test. This was highlighted when mid season a couple of our younger referees David Coote and Andy Madley both failed a UEFA fitness test now yes they’ve now retaken and passed it, however they shouldn’t be in that position to start with.
“They shouldn’t fail at all, they’re professional referees so I think the standard is not as good as it used to be.”
One criticism from fans has been that the on field officials haven’t used the pitch side monitors frequently enough.
Up until January the monitors hadn’t been used at all in the former league and only once in the FA cup.
Hackett said he believes referees were advised not to look at the monitors by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, which is the body responsible for officials in the UK.
He said: “I think it’s the boss of the PGMOL. They decide the strategy within regulations therefore I think they’ve sought advice from the IFAB (International Football Association Board) the governing body there the lawmakers and in charge of VAR around the world and i think it’s a mistake and poor management decisions.
“I’ve heard the Premier League have influenced that decision but the they should stay out of the refereeing after they are member of the PGMOL board and that’s where they should voice their concerns they should have no power to execute how the refs are applying the laws of the game that is not their business, so that concerns me.
“I am quite clear that there is a technology short fall when it comes to making those decisions, my view is because of the speed of the cameras that there is a shortfall in accuracy so i don’t think the system is giving them the level of accuracy that’s needed.”
Premier League football is due to resume on the 3rd of April after it was postponed due the coronavirus outbreak.
THE VAR EFFECT 