Howard Webb and the IFAB should be considering innovative applications for VAR in light of Nottingham Forest’s loss to Bournemouth. Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, suggests that VAR technology could have prevented a significant error at the Vitality Stadium.
Neco Williams expressed rightful frustration towards Samuel Barrott and his assistants when a corner was awarded to Bournemouth, despite Marcus Tavernier clearly having the final touch before the ball went out of play. Subsequently, Andoni Iraola’s team scored from the set-piece, putting Sean Dyche’s side at a disadvantage after just 25 minutes, with Junior Kroupi adding a second goal five minutes before half-time.
Following the defeat on the south coast, Nottingham Forest finds themselves in a precarious position. Ange Postecoglou’s brief tenure saw zero wins in eight games before his departure, while Dyche swiftly won over fans by triumphing over Porto in the Europa League. Despite the controversy surrounding the match, the Reds are now three points away from safety in the Premier League standings, sitting three points clear of Wolves.
Securing a favorable outcome at the Vitality Stadium was always going to be challenging. However, Hackett believes that a rule change regarding VAR usage is necessary following the contentious corner incident. Expressing his frustrations with the current limitations of VAR in the Premier League, Hackett advocates for the expansion of VAR to include decisions related to double yellow cards and corner kicks.
In an exclusive interview with Football Insider, Hackett emphasized the importance of utilizing technology to rectify incorrect calls that could impact the game. He proposes a system where VAR can discreetly advise the referee on overturned decisions without disrupting the flow of play. With advancements in technology readily available, Hackett is a proponent of VAR intervention for the betterment of the game.
