Premier League managers pushing Howard Webb for major VAR change

Premier League managers have held discussions with PGMOL chief Howard Webb to demand changes to VAR operations. According to League Managers Association CEO Richard Bevan, they want top-flight matches officiated in a different manner.

The LMA is proposing that referees should be partnered with designated video assistant referees to establish working relationships. The organisation believes this approach will deliver more consistent decision-making.

Bevan has indicated that Webb and PGMOL are moving towards creating better rapport between on-field officials and video assistant referees. However, recruitment issues appear to be presenting challenges.

The LMA chief executive has accepted that VAR is a permanent fixture and argues that action must be taken to address the mistakes currently being made. In his opinion, having a dedicated VAR official would significantly help resolve this.

Speaking exclusively on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Bevan explained his stance to former Sunderland and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce.

He said: "We've had a lot of Premier League managers' meetings with Howard Webb about VAR, some good and some not so good. Premier League managers would like to see the VAR referee being someone who is refereeing with the man on the pitch every week, so there's not a nervous relationship.

"That's so they understand each other, they understand how they operate to a greater degree, and Howard Webb and PGMOL are working towards that. Recruitment is a big issue for them, and training and development. I think they will get there eventually, but it's about trying to make fewer errors, because VAR is here to stay.

"The VAR referee should be permanent, not one week on and one week off. The more games that they do, then practice makes perfect."

Technology may yet play a greater role in Premier League fixtures. Proposals allowing video technology to overturn incorrect second yellow cards are set to be put forward to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the independent guardians of the rules of association football.

The body's Annual Business Meeting takes place in January, where the matter will be discussed, with debate over whether video match officials should be permitted to intervene under the VAR protocol. At present, only straight red cards or bookings arising from mistaken identity can be overturned.