This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Published on November 5, 2019, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has expressed concerns over the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in the Premier League.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea's Champions League match against Ajax at Stamford Bridge, Lampard emphasized the need for an open conversation about VAR, following a weekend of controversy in the Premier League.
Chelsea's 2-0 lead against Watford was halved by a VAR-awarded penalty, while Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was flagged for being offside, with the VAR decision citing that his armpit was 'marginally ahead of the last Villa defender.'
Lampard believes that tweaks are needed to improve the use of VAR, particularly in regards to the time it takes to make decisions and the element of doubt that comes with it.
'I think the use of the screen on the side of the pitch can be a help because we've seen this weekend in the Premier League decisions that firstly they've taken a long time to get to, which seems to bring in the fact that there's an element of doubt,' he said.
Lampard also called for input from all sides, including referees, managers, and fans, to improve the VAR system.
'I would work with it at the moment and see how we can improve,' he said. 'And I think it needs to be a really open conversation - referees, managers, fans.'
