VAR: PL refs set to make in-stadium statements

London, AP: Referees are set to make in-stadium announcemen t s about the outcome of video reviews in the Premier League from the start of next season and Liverpool manager Arne Slot isn't a fan. The protocol is being trialed in this season's English League Cup semifinals, with a first announcement coming in the first leg of Tottenham's match with Liverpool when a goal Afor Spurs was ruled out for offside. Tony Scholes, the Premier League's chief football officer, told reporters the protocol could now be used in league play, too. Asked for his reaction, Slot said “for me, that's not necessary”, but he did acknowledge it might benefit match-going fans in the stadium.

“If the fans like it and it's something nice for the fans, let's do this,” said Slot, speaking Wednesday ahead of the second leg against Tottenham on Thursday, which Liverpool goes into trailing 1-0. “But I wonder if we are all going to like this.” On that occasion in the first leg, referee Stuart Attwell used the public address system to announce via a wireless microphone that the goal scored by Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke in the 76th minute had been ruled out for offside.

Attwell spoke after a VAR review lasting around two minutes. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou wasn't impressed with the historic moment at the time, saying: “If people think that announcement tonight added anything to the game, I'm sorry. I mean, really, just get on with it.”