Howard Webb reveals FIFA have BANNED VAR audio being played live as Gary Neville nails it

Howard Webb, who is in charge of refereeing body PGMOL, appeared on Monday Night Football to give an in depth explanation of how VAR works in the Premier League

Howard Webb appeared on Monday Night Football to discuss VAR (

Image: Sky Sports)

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has confirmed FIFA have stopped the Premier League from playing live VAR audio and video footage during games.

Webb was quizzed on VAR by Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher during an appearance on Monday Night Football. Neville asked the former Premier League referee why PGMOL doesn’t show footage of their calls to show how that decision was made.

Webb, who has promised more “transparency” with fans, replied by revealing that FIFA have banned that from happening during games. Yet the refereeing boss has admitted there is “nothing to stop us” from showing that footage after the fixture in question.

Webb appeared on Monday Night Football ahead of Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Leicester at the King Power to explain how VAR works and clarify why some recent decisions were made. He explained what ‘clear and obvious’ means, among other things.

Neville told Webb: “When you see this [footage], you’d never question the integrity of officials again when you look at some of the communication [between the officials]. Fans need to see this, don’t they? We need to see this. Players need to see this.”

Neville then asked: “What is it going to take for you to make that decision, or the game to make that decision, whereby after a game, where there’s been a controversial incident or there’s been something that people don’t like, where you just release the footage?”

Gary Neville quizzed the PGMOL chief (

Image:

Sky Sports)

What did you make of Howard Webb’s confession? Let us know in the comments below!

Before Webb could answer, Neville highlighted some of the questionable VAR decisions and errors that have been made this season. Webb has been forced to apologise for a number of refereeing mistakes this season, with VAR failing to fulfil its purpose.

Neville said: “If you just put the communication out later on that night, that would probably clear up that it’s just generally an error that’s been made, a human error. When will that come in? Can it come in next season? So that we can give the fans the benefit of this.”

Webb replied: “We’re looking to do this as much as we possibly can and tonight is something new. We’re making a small step forward and looking into next season we’ll be looking to do more of the same.

“We can’t play it live within the game, as that is not allowed within the laws of the game – FIFA don’t allow us to play this out during the game, and who knows where that might go in future.

“But, there’s nothing to stop us doing what we’re doing tonight and showing that information later.

“I hope tonight’s been a good insight as we draw that curtain back, we’ve tried to show you a range of situations and looking forward we’re hoping to do more of the same.”