Var Might Rule On Yellow Cards In Future - Webb

The scope of nan video adjunct referee successful nan Premier League mightiness beryllium expanded successful nan early to see decisions connected yellowish cards and nan awarding of corners, says Howard Webb.

Referees' main Webb says nan game's law-makers, nan International Football Association Board (Ifab), is reviewing really VAR operates and he is "open to discussions" astir different uses.

VAR, which has operated successful nan Premier League since nan 2019-20 season, tin presently only intervene successful what are perceived arsenic match-changing decisions - goals, consecutive reddish cards, penalties and mistaken identity.

"There will decidedly beryllium discussions astir imaginable extensions," Webb told BBC Sport.

"Some judge we should usage VAR much extensively for definite situations, but location are others who consciousness that shouldn't happen.

"We effort to align VAR transportation pinch nan expectations of those progressive successful nan English game, based connected consultation pinch fans, coaches and players. The connection we get is 'less is more' pinch VAR, and we've done beautiful good successful aligning our transportation pinch that expectation.

"VAR has been successful spot for 7 years and has beautiful overmuch stayed nan same. If nan game, aliases nan group involved, show america that greater usage would beryllium amended for nan game, past of people I'd beryllium unfastened - but we request to deliberation cautiously astir nan consequences, nan ripple effects.

"If you are talking astir yellowish cards that are delivered incorrectly, which could beryllium impactful connected nan game, past you besides person to deliberation astir wrongly not-issued yellowish cards."

Webb believes maltreatment of referees astatine each levels of nan crippled is worse than it has ever been and says much support is being provided to support officials.

In January, constabulary launched an investigation aft Michael Oliver received decease threats online. In September, Anthony Taylor was temporarily stood down from officiating aft being abused connected societal media.

Taylor and his family were confronted by angry Roma fans successful Budapest airdrome aft nan Italian broadside mislaid to Sevilla successful nan 2023 Europa League final, pinch video of nan incident posted connected societal media.

"People person a bigger level than ever to sound opinions, but immoderate of really that sentiment is voiced is unacceptable," said Webb.

"We saw examples pinch our officials past season. It happens pinch players and different participants successful nan crippled arsenic well. It's a small spot of a reflection of nine coming - group definitive beardown opinions, which is normal, and nan crippled people creates divided opinions successful nan grey zone.

"But disagreement pinch an result doesn't springiness a licence to maltreatment officials connected definite platforms, including threats to nan information of officials and their families. That is wholly unacceptable.

"We supply bully support for officials, including psychological support, intelligence wellness and well-being. Support extends to their families, too."

Webb says nan preamble of VAR has accrued scrutiny connected officials' decision-making and tin create perceptions of conspiracy of bias, though he says specified perceptions are "wholly unjustifiable".

He said: "Previously, referees made judgments successful nan infinitesimal based connected what they saw. Now, VAR reviews decisions pinch much clip and different angles. But that doesn't alteration nan truth that immoderate decisions stay grey.

"If you deliberation a punishment determination is wrong, you expect VAR to get involved. But if it's 50/50, half will deliberation nan original determination was right, and if VAR overturns it, those group will beryllium disappointed.

"The accomplishment for america is recognising erstwhile a business is genuinely grey and conversely erstwhile location is simply a genuinely clear one. But don't expect to work together pinch nan last result each time."

Webb says it would beryllium "tough" for David Coote to return to top-level refereeing aft he was sacked for misconduct past year.

Coote was dismissed by referees' assemblage Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) successful December 2024 aft a video emerged online of him making derogatory remarks astir Liverpool and past head Jurgen Klopp.

On Tuesday, nan Football Association (FA) issued an eight-week suspension and ordered Coote to person mandatory face-to-face acquisition astir nan incident.

"Under nan circumstances, it's difficult [for him to return]," said Webb. "We enactment successful interaction and attraction astir him, but it would beryllium tough."

The 42-year-old has besides been banned by Uefa for a abstracted video showing him sniffing a achromatic powder erstwhile he was connected work astatine Euro 2024, which is organised by European football's governing body.

"This was 1 individual who made mediocre choices extracurricular nan game," said Webb. "Our occupation was to measure nan effect his domiciled arsenic an charismatic had connected those choices, fixed nan accent officials face.

"It was an opportunity to bespeak connected really we support officials and to reside immoderate gaps successful outer expertise, which we've done precocious pinch caller appointments. It doesn't bespeak connected nan wider officiating civilization aliases different officials' work.

"David was a erstwhile workfellow we cared astir and wish good for nan future, but his choices were individual to him and don't bespeak nan wider group."