VAR chief Neil Swarbrick insists he has been ‘really pleased’ with the Premier League’s introduction to the technology despite widespread criticism following a series of contentious incidents.
VAR was once again at the forefront of this weekend’s Premier League action, particularly in the huge clash between title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield, in which there were controversial decisions which saw City see two penalty appeals for handball turned down.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola was left visibly angered by the decisions, whilst elsewhere Sheffield United were left frustrated after seeing a goal disallowed at Tottenham Hotspur for a marginal offside.
Despite the growing enmity of the technology, Swarbrick insists he has been pleased with its integration into English football.
“I’m really pleased, honestly, with how we have started out,” Swarbrick told the BBC.
Whilst Swarbrick admitted that VAR still has improvements to be made, he added that he would mark the new system as ‘seven out of 10’ so far.
“I’d give us around about seven-ish [out of 10],” he replied.
“We have more decisions correct with VAR than without it. If the mark now is seven – early days – in two years’ time I’m hoping for maybe a eight and a half or nine.
“We are open to evolving with this – it’s not a case of we’re not budging. We will listen to feedback and where we can improve things, we will do.”
“I’m comfortable with where we are but there’s no doubt there’s room for improvement. It’s a work in progress,” added Swarbrick.
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