Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou bemoans use of VAR and ‘constant erosion of referees’ authority’ | Football News

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has urged for a halt to the criticism of officials in order to preserve their authority. Following Spurs’ 4-1 loss to Chelsea, which saw two players receive red cards, Postecoglou refrained from blaming referee Michael Oliver. However, he expressed concern about the excessive use of technology following multiple VAR checks in the first half. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also criticized VAR after three checks during their match against Newcastle. Postecoglou believes that constantly complaining about decisions will lead to a thorough examination of every call, resulting in prolonged breaks in play and a decline in referee authority. He believes the game is heading towards increased reliance on technology and diminished referee control. Postecoglou emphasized the importance of accepting the referee’s decision and discouraged managers from attempting to bend the rules. He concluded by expressing his dislike for the use of VAR and the impact it has on the pace and purity of the game.

When asked if there was support from other managers and club members to scrap VAR, Postecoglou acknowledged the desire for a perfect system but emphasized that it doesn’t exist. He believes that pursuing a technology-driven utopia is unrealistic and unnecessary. Postecoglou also expressed concern about the potential introduction of referee explanations via microphones, a practice common in other sports but, in his opinion, inappropriate for football. He stated that Premier League managers should focus solely on managing their clubs and respect the officials’ authority.

Reflecting on the match against Chelsea, Postecoglou acknowledged the personnel issues resulting from the game but did not provide specific details. He praised Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino for securing an important win and addressed their shared frustration with VAR.

Pochettino, on the other hand, mentioned the controversial nature of the game but expressed his support for VAR and the need to find the right way to use it. He admitted that the introduction of the technology was met with resistance among many coaches. Pochettino emphasized the difficulties in achieving a balance but stressed the importance of collectively improving the game.

In his return to Tottenham, Pochettino reflected on the emotional experience of reuniting with staff and expressed his satisfaction with Chelsea’s victory. Gary Neville, prior to the match, called on the Premier League to protect referees after Liverpool and Arsenal issued statements criticizing VAR, deeming them dangerous.

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Michael Johnson

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