Premier League to be stripped of VAR management

The Premier League will have to follow Fifa guidelines regarding the use of the video assistant referee after the world governing body confirmed it was taking over management of its implementation.

Although Fifa has declared VAR to be “a universal success”, there has been confusion in the Premier League around such issues as use of the pitchside monitors. Mike Riley – general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the referees’ body – limited the use of monitors to avoid slowing the game down.

This went against the general guidance and the anticipation is Fifa will expect this to be used more extensively going forward.

In addition, rules around handball, offside and goalkeepers standing on their lines for penalties will all be dealt with through Fifa.

The Premier League has admitted there was incorrect VAR decisions in each game on Thursday night – including the penalty which set up Manchester United’s victory.

BBC presenter Dan Walker said on Match of the Day that the Premier League’s match centre had confirmed that all three penalty decisions should have been overturned by a VAR check – casting doubt on the way the technology is being used ahead of next season.