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VAR – how the fans will get the outcomes

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Fans will kept in touch with the twists and turns of VAR next season by video clips projected onto the London Stadium giant screen.

According to a Press Association report inĀ  The Mirror clubs were updated on the system’s introduction at the Premier League summer shareholders’ meeting on earlier today (Wed).

The report says that among the details were how communications within the stadium would be dealt with to keep fans informed during a clear delay because of VAR and when refereeing decisions are overturned under the new system.

The Premier League has created graphics which will be displayed on giant screens to explain any VAR-related delay to a match and any over-turned decision.

Also, should the VAR feel there is a “definitive video-clip” available which can help supporters understand the reasons behind the decision, it will be broadcast on giant screens.

The Premier League said it was “investigating the possibility” of messages and the key video-clips being viewed on handheld devices via an app.

For those clubs in the Premier League who do not have giant screens in their home ground, VAR communications will be made via a combination of announcements over the public address system and messages on scoreboards.

The VAR can only intervene on “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents” which relate to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.

ClaretandHugh says: The word ‘overdue’ doesn’t get close when it comes to VAR! The real question is why the hell it has taken so long to get it introduced. After all, it hasn’t taken a fortune in new technology – a TV screen and a pair of eyes are all that’s required to ensure that. Although we may not get perfect decisions there will be far less imperfect ones and that’s got to be a good thing. Us Hammers suffered at the hands of officials on far too many occasions last season but although we may be on the wrong end of a few in the future as a result of VAR this is surely a system to applaud. The argument that it will slow down the game has always made me laugh in an era when diving and faking injury for ages on end has already made sure the game is often stalled for unnecessarily long periods. VAR really should have been brought in a very long time ago.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

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