Premier League paying heavy price for using VAR differently to rest of Europe

The Premier League could be paying a heavy price for trying to be too transparent when it comes to VAR.

Jack Grealish and Phil Foden had goals chalked off for offside by the Video Assistant Referee on New Year’s Day, taking the tally to 23 goals this season.

Connor Wickham’s late equaliser for Crystal Palace at Norwich was the seventh goal to be awarded by VAR after being incorrectly flagged for offside, meaning a net loss of 16 goals.

But the difference between the Premier League and the rest of Europe is English football decided to show the whole process of Stockley Park drawing the lines whereas other leagues just show the final image as to whether the player is on or offside.

And when Wesley’s heel is offside, everyone cries foul whereas you do not get similar controversies even in the Champions League even though they are applying the same offside laws.

Aston Villa’s Wesley was adjudged to be offside
(Image: BT Sport)

But the fact is the Premier League are applying VAR correctly in line with IFAB recommendations (though consulting pitch side monitors could be a different debate) and to suggest that FIFA might intervene would seem wide of the mark.

However, IFAB – the International Football Association Board who lay down the game’s laws – do meet on February 29 (in the Belfast area of Holywood) when VAR and specifically offside decisions are likely to be discussed.

Lukas Brud, general secretary of IFAB, did say this week offside decisions should not be “too forensic” but also reiterated “1mm offside is offside” and they are expected to offer new guidance and review whether the current laws should be tweaked.

Southgate’s Qatar report

England manager Gareth Southgate
(Image: PA)

Gareth Southgate’s fact-finding mission in Qatar during the Club World Cup came back with a very promising weather report.

England boss Southgate, his assistant Steve Holland and FA security staff spent a few days in Doha last month checking out stadiums, hotels and potential training bases.

But one of the best positives were the temperatures as one of those age-old World Cup scare stories, this time about scorching heat and the need for air conditioning in stadiums, can be put to bed already.

Temperatures in Doha were unseasonably mild during the Club World Cup – below 20 degrees celsius on most days – and even though it warmed up after Southgate went home it was still only 22 degrees.

The bigger worry will be for fans and whether Qatar can host what will be a unique World Cup across one city, one country the size of Yorkshire where there are no town squares to congregate and the locals looked terrified when Flamengo fans started singing on the Metro.

And beer was as much as £15-a-pint in some hotel bars while there should be no worries about stadia being ready on time with many parts of the grounds being shipped across to Africa after the tournament to help them build new stadiums there.

Arteta making an impression

Mikel Arteta talks to Sokratis during a training session
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta is already making a strong impression on Arsenal’s players and staff with even long-standing employees at the training ground being blown away by his talent as a coach.

Arteta is also working the players hard with new methods to shake up training and to get them into shape to be able to play his high-energy pressing game.

Arsenal players had to report up at 8am on New Year’s Day morning on the day of the Manchester United game to do a light session on the pitch at the Emirates before decamping to a nearby hotel.

They did similar ahead of the Chelsea game as they trained on the pitch on the Saturday evening and then stayed in a hotel the night before the game. It is quite a departure from Unai Emery’s reign when they had even got into a routine of travelling to some away games on the same day.

Potter catching the eye

Brighton’s manager Graham Potter
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Brighton boss Graham Potter is doing an impressive job at the Amex after building on the excellent foundations laid by Chris Hughton.

Potter’s style of play, progressive methods and coaching are gaining admiring glances from FA bigwigs and do not be surprised if we start hearing talk of him being an England manager of the future.

Pochettino’s severance package

Mauricio Pochettino will be available to return to management next summer but in the meantime every engagement is being run past Tottenham to get clearance as part of his severance package.

There will be no shortage of takers for one of the best young managers and classiest operators in the business.