THE Premier League’s integrity has been called into question after refs’ boss Mike Riley revealed VAR use will CHANGE.
Riley yesterday admitted VAR got it wrong four times in the first month of the season.
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He told Prem club chiefs that Newcastle’s equaliser against Watford should not have stood after a handball was missed.
Bottom-of-the-table Hornets later axed boss Javi Gracia.
Former Prem ref Mark Halsey said: “Mike Riley has admitted there have been VAR mistakes this season but what about the consequences for the clubs already?
“The PGMOL have not followed the Ifab protocol and it now raises the question of integrity in the Premier League by deciding to change the system after one month.
“I feel really sorry for Watford and particularly Javi Gracia.
‘AWFUL DECISION’
“He has lost his job and the awful decision at Newcastle, where the equaliser was not even checked by VAR, has contributed to his downfall.
“We’re only four weeks into the season but who is to say the decisions already given will not be the difference in the title race, European spots, relegation or financially?”
As well as costing Watford points at Newcastle, Riley admitted Manchester City and West Ham were wrongly denied penalties.
He also conceded Leicester star Youri Tielemans should have been sent off for his stamp on Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson.
At a presentation to the 20 club bosses, Riley said: “There were four occasions where the VAR didn’t intervene and where, if they had, there would be a better understanding of the role VAR plays.”
The review means there will now be more VAR interventions — starting tomorrow.
