Shropshire Star

Johnny Phillips: Slow-motion VAR replays need kicking into touch

The unsatisfactory application of VAR has risen its head in recent weeks.

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Referee Robert Jones rules out Burnley's goal for handball during the Premier League match at City Ground, Nottingham. Picture date: Monday September 18, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Forest . Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire..RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications..

It has been a difficult opening few weeks of the season for the PGMOL, but to their credit the organisation is attempting greater transparency with supporters by offering to explain its decision-making processes.

On Monday night I was at the City Ground to witness the controversial decision to disallow an apparent winner for Burnley, scored by Lyle Foster after some good build-up play by substitute Sander Berge.

Referee Rob Jones and his officials saw fit to let the goal stand but the VAR got involved and it was ultimately disallowed when Jones, having been sent to the pitchside monitor, concluded Berge handled the ball in the build-up.

It was an incredibly unsatisfactory outcome, reached primarily through Jones being shown slow-motion images of Berge’s actions.