Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett slams the use of VAR in England after controversial weekend

The former general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has slammed the way VAR is being used in English football after one of the most controversial weekends since its inception. Keith Hackett — who was part of the initial line-up of referees in the Premier League — says “a pig’s ear” is being made of the technology.

Ad West Ham were denied a dramatic late equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, when Maxwel Cornet's effort was ruled out after Jarrod Bowen was judged to have fouled goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the build-up. Premier LeagueMan Utd officially enter battle royal for top four, plus the war on VAR – The Warm-Up3 HOURS AGO West Ham manager David Moyes called the decision «scandalous», while their captain Declan Rice tweeted three times about the incident following the match, saying the system is a “shambles” and called it “one of the worst VAR decisions made”.

Meanwhile, Newcastle thought they had scored what would have been a winner in their goalless draw against Crystal Palace, only for a VAR intervention to end their celebrations. Manager Eddie Howe called it a “perfectly good goal”, which saw Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell turn the ball into his own net, only for his blushes to be saved by an apparent foul by Joe Willock on goalkeeper Vicentre Guaita.

Those two incidents are being investigated by the PGMOL following a request from the Premier League — with the referees’ body accepting the decisions were controversial. Elsewhere, Leeds were denied a penalty against Brentford and Phiippe Countinho’s goal for Aston Villa against Manchester City was ruled out after the assistant referee incorrectly flagged for offside.