Liverpool midfielder James Milner has stated that the atmosphere at Premier League games is being “ruined” by VAR and has ironically called for a review of its use.
There were once again more high-profile incidents involving the latest footballing technology this weekend, with Arsenal and Everton both on the receiving end of highly contentious and controversial calls.
And Reds superstar James Milner is the latest player to question the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in its current guise, claiming that it leaves supporters unsure whether to celebrate a goal due to a fear it could be ruled out.
While speaking to the Guardian the 33-year-old veteran Englishman explained the reasons as to why he is not at all a fan of VAR, “I’m not a fan at all, It might just be the old school part of me, but I think there’s still too much debate around VAR.
Milner also went on to admit that goal line technology is great because there is no grey area however, VAR is totally different, “Goal-line technology is incredible – it’s an instant decision. Black and white. But it’s very hard to use VAR when you’ve still got opinions on the decisions and the atmosphere is being ruined. You score, there’s an explosion of noise and then it’s over to VAR. You wait. Is it a goal?”
Although Milner benefited from a late VAR intervention to convert a stoppage-time penalty in Liverpool’s 2-1 win against Leicester City on October 5 it’s quite clear that the England star is not in favor of the new technology.
