{{primary_category}}
{{/primary_category}} 
Liverpool news: Ex-Premier League referee backs major VAR revamp after world-first footage emerges
Keith Hackett has urged referee boss Howard Webb to fight for more transparency for Liverpool and other Premier League clubs when communicating VAR decisions to players and spectators.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested the changes at this month’s Club World Cup have not gone far enough to reduce confusion about controversial decisions.
As seen in footage posted to Twitter by Carrusel Deportivo (1 February), referee Ma Ning made history by providing the first official on-pitch explanation for a VAR decision during the Club World Cup game between Al Ahly and Auckland City.
The IFAB (International Football Association Board) have approved a trial of referees communicating decisions taken after video review at this month’s tournament in Morocco.
As per Sky Sports (4 February), PGMOL chief Webb has confirmed his desire to expand the trial into the Premier League as he attempts to “draw back the curtain” to decision-making.
Liverpool have been involved in a number of refereeing controversies in recent weeks – with Fabinho’s challenge on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson in the FA Cup the most poignant example.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s great to see Howard Webb talking to the media, because that’s what the PGMOL should do.
“The IFAB and FIFA have agreed to trial the broadcast of VAR decisions at the Club World Cup to the spectators in the stadium.
“That will be done at all the other FIFA competitions this year.
“Howard Webb has put his marker down and said, ‘we’re for that, and we want it’.
“But all we’ve seen so far from the referees at the Club World Cup is very basic information.
“I would take it a step further in the Premier League, and that’s why we’re seeing this pressure from the PGMOL. We’ve got to move much further in that direction.
“Let’s have the whole conversation between the referee and the VAR open to the spectators – in the ground, and on TV.
“You’ve got to be as transparent as possible – because that breeds honesty and integrity.”
In other news, Football Insider updates as Liverpool scout “next Jude Bellingham” with pre-summer deal lined up.