FIFA referee Martin Atkinson wants the Premier League to learn the lessons of the Video Assistant Referee system at the 2018 World Cup.
The use of VAR has split opinion after a series of controversial incidents in Russia.
Former England captain Alan Shearer called it a “farce” after Iran were awarded a penalty against Portugal upon review, but his BBC colleague Gary Lineker believes it provides extra drama and improves “most refereeing decisions”.
VAR was used in some FA Cup games last term, but it will not be introduced to the Premier League next season after clubs voted in April to extend trials for another year.
“We are still trialling it within England, within the Premier League, in the domestic game,” said Atkinson, who has cycled from England’s training base at St George’s Park in Staffordshire to Kaliningrad as part of the Whistle Stop Tour group.
“So whatever there is to be learned from this tournament, we can certainly look at that for next year.
I like VAR. There, I’ve said it. It’s making the most mundane of games more dramatic. It improves most refereeing decisions, (although human error will still occur). It gives us lots to discuss and it really annoys @alanshearer. They need to remove clear & obvious edict, though.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 26, 2018
“The clubs want it as a trial for next season, we as referees do so it will be great to see it next season just from what we can learn from this tournament.
“We want to move forward and hopefully get what the fans, supporters and the game expects as well.
“We all want the right outcome at the end of the day and all football fans feel the same way.”
