Wenger to help Premier League improve VAR

The Premier League are ready to turn to Arsene Wenger to help improve the standards of VAR.Legendary Arsenal manager Wenger was named as FIFA’s new Chief of Global Football Development earlier this month.

The Frenchman is also on the International FA Board’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels – which make changes to the Laws of the Game and look at ways to improve football through its rules.The next meeting of IFAB is on December 3 in Belfast – with Wenger scheduled to be there.

As such, Mike Riley, who is the head of referees’ Professional Game Match Officials Limited, is looking forward to talking to Wenger to see how VAR can be made better.“Arsene’s appointment is a really good opportunity to talk to people and influence them. I have no doubt those conversations will be taking place,” said Riley.

VAR has been a controversial addition to the Premier League since it was incorporated into the division at the beginning of the season.Riley admitted earlier this weekend that the video review system had incorrectly overturned four decisions what he on-field red had got right.

The Gunners were on the receiving end when Sokratis Papastathopoulos’ late goal was ruled out against Crystal Palace in October.Brighton were wrongly awarded a penalty against Everton and both Manchester United and Watford should not have been handed a spot kicks versus Norwich and Chelsea respectively.

“The worst outcome is when the referee on the field makes right decision and the VAR intervenes to make wrong decision,” said Riley.“It will happen. That is part of the balance of understanding what is clear and obvious.“Look at any country that has put in VAR, everyone has to go through a learning curve. We are going through that now.”