PGMOL Chief Howard Webb has issued a new VAR directive to Premier League referees as Premier League action is set to resume in the weekend after November international break, MySportDab reports.
Speaking in a meeting with Premier League officials, Webb has frowned on how match referees allow games to slip off their control.
He has asked the referees to clampdown heavily on players who expresses dissent during matches by waving imaginary cards.
Webb also enlisted the support of VAR officials to make sure the attention of the center-referee is drawn to any misconstrued penalty to a player.
According to him, there have been progress on the game so far this season since the introduction of stiffer penalties, more added time to reduce time wastage but dissent by players and managers have not been particularly handled the way it should.
“There has been major breakthroughs in the game so far but there are gray areas that needs to be improved, especially on dissent which seems to draw back our gains.”
“Referees to not be reluctant to book and dished out deserved penalties to further sanitize the game and VAR officials should lend their support as well,” Webb said.
So far this season, there has been increased number of bookings for players and managers and it is believed Webb’s latest directive will further heighten the numbers.
VAR has been at the heart of Premier League controversies and protests by players and managers so far hence Webb’s new order touch the heart of the VAR controversy.
It is evident the former World Cup final referee seems less occupied with VAR blunders but bent on whipping players and managers to order even when officiating and VAR decisions run amok.
However, Webb has also conceded on some VAR blunders such as the Liverpool Vs Tottenham match and Wolves denied spotkick against Manchester United.
