MARK CLATTENBURG: The PGMOL’s decision to release VAR audio could come back to haunt Howard Webb!

• The PGMOL decided to release the VAR audio from Liverpool’s loss to Spurs 
• It could be a decision that comes back to haunt to PGMOL chief Howard Webb 
• Click HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ 

This could backfire big time on Howard Webb and the PGMOL. They have set a huge precedent here by releasing this audio so soon after the event. 

 Webb did it to protect the integrity of his officials amid this nonsensical talk of corruption. He wanted to show that, yes, they made a mistake, and no, we have nothing to hide. 

But now, Webb will have other Premier League clubs demanding the same treatment whenever a controversial decision goes against them on a Saturday. And what can the PGMOL say in response? No? The clubs will turn around and say, ‘You did it for Liverpool.’ 

Webb is different to his predecessor Mike Riley, who would never apologise whenever there was an error. I like Webb. I like transparency. I like owning your mistakes when you make them. 

But now, we have managers and players saying in their post-match interviews, ‘I think we’ll get an apology.’ It’s become a weekly expectation in the Premier League and that is because of Webb’s approach to this role. 

The decision to release the full VAR audio from Tottenham’s clash with Liverpool could come back to haunt PGMOL chief Howard Webb (pictured)

VAR, which was being overseen by England and Cook, ruled out a Liverpool goal at Tottenham, despite replays clearly showing Luis Diaz was being played onside by Cristian Romero

Your browser does not support iframes.

Usually, audio such as this is reserved for the classroom sessions at St George’s Park so the officials can learn from it when they meet fortnightly. Now, it’s out there in the public domain, and I cannot imagine the officials are overly thrilled at the prospect of them being broadcasted to the world in this way. 

It only adds to the already-extraordinary pressure on them when they’re sitting in that VAR hub. Listening to the audio, you can hear the officials refer to someone called ‘Oli’. 

That is Oli Kahout. He isn’t a referee. He’s an administrator of the VAR hub. So I’m surprised that we hear how he is telling the officials to ‘delay the game’. Questions may be asked of Kahout trying to influence proceedings when, as far as I’m aware, he does not have that authority. 

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article