Crystal Palace and Brighton players warned they will be booked for trying to influence VAR decisions
REFEREES’ chief Mike Riley has warned Crystal Palace and Brighton players they will be booked if they try to influence VAR decisions.
Riley visited both clubs yesterday to give them crash courses in how the video assistant ref technology will work in Monday’s FA Cup tie.
It is being trialled for the first time in English club football for the third-round game.
A video screen will be placed in a marked area between the two dugouts at the Amex.
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They are also not allowed to call for a VAR decision themselves by making a ‘TV’ sign like umpires do in cricket.
Palace boss Roy Hodgson had expressed fears over the ‘chaotic’ use of VAR during last summer’s Confederations Cup in Russia.
VAR TECH Why is VAR being used in Brighton vs Crystal Palace and what other competitions use it?
But it is understood Riley, head of refs’ body the PGMOL, managed to put the minds of the Palace management at ease.
Riley explained that only “clear and obvious errors” would be overturned.
Hodgson said: “From my experience in the Confederations Cup, they made a mess of it, no question.
“But that’s not to say we cannot make a success of it.
“If people stick to the main purpose — which is to prevent clear miscarriages of justice and not to review every situation — then it can only be a positive thing.
“But I think it is going to take a lot of work before we can hone it to a level that is acceptable.
“It is also going to be very difficult for the referees. It is putting them under more pressure to get things right.”
