In-game audio of VAR calls to be released more often next season - Webb

[May 16, 2023]  (Reuters) - Releasing in-game audio recordings of VAR decisions concerning key incidents in Premier League matches is likely to become more common next season, referees' chief Howard Webb has said.  

Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Arsenal - St. James Park, Newcastle, Britain - May 7, 2023 General view of a big screen displaying a VAR decision. REUTERS/Scott Heppell

In-game audio from key decisions was released for the first time when Webb joined Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on the Monday Night Football programme to discuss incidents from this season.

Webb showed video and audio recordings of interactions between on-field referees and VAR officials discussing in-game situations and explained how the decisions were made.

"We're looking to do this (release audio) as much as we possibly can," Professional Game Match Officials Limited chief Webb said on the show, noting that FIFA would not allow them to play the audio live during the game. "Tonight is obviously something new. We're making a small step forward. Going forward into next season we will look to do more of the same."

VAR was introduced to the Premier League at the start of the 2019-20 season.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru. Editing by Gerry Doyle)

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