VAR has made four mistakes so far, admits Mike Riley

The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League has been a baptism by fire, especially in it’s opening few weeks. It was always going to see the game take it’s time to adjust to the new referee on board. However, in its opening month or so, the game has seen not just buzz around the VAR but also a lot of controversies.

Controversial decisions have been given, cards have been handed out and some haven’t been handed out. However, now in an interview with Sky Sports, referees’ chief Mike Riley has admitted that the VAR has made four mistakes so far. A list that includes Youri Tieleman’s apparent stamp on Callum Wilson, Fabian Schar’s equaliser for Newcastle United and the David Silva penalty incident.

“We are learning as we go along and we are constantly improving. Out of the four-match rounds, there have been some really good examples where we have intervened. There have been six incidents where VAR has advised the referee and we have got a better decision as a result. There were four incidents where VAR didn't intervene and had they done, we would have a better understanding of the role VAR plays in the game,” said Riley to Sky Sports.

"The mistakes are all about the judgement of VAR and the process that we adopt. These are examples where VAR could have had a benefit and intervened to help the referee on the day. A combination of factors lead to those mistakes being made. That is the fascinating thing as this project evolves, we are constantly learning.

"We are trying not to disrupt the flow of the game but on these occasions, the judgement should have been that it was a clear and obvious error. One of the really positive things about the first four-match rounds has been the quality of on-field performances. All the referees have incorporated the things we need to do with VAR into their refereeing while still focusing on making real-time decisions," concluded the chief of referees.