This is mostly hyperbole and not to be taken super seriously, nor am I really saying these would/should fix things - but certainly some ideas need implementing. Especially, points 1 and 2, they seem like easy wins.
- Introduce automated offside (3D model graphic, as seen at WC). No more late flagging, no more indecision, no more opinions.
- Automated, out of bounds, ball detection. There’s absolutely technology out there, that could do this. Maybe this is more complicated than I think, love to hear why, if so?
- Remove the on pitch/screen review, give the final decision to VAR officials. They have all the angles and way more time to review, than the on pitch ref. they would most likely make better decisions without the pressure of players or crowds/fans around them.
- VAR replays can only be slowed down for potential handballs. Challenges should only shown in real time, with multi-angles and closeups, which is enough.
- VAR to intervene/review second yellow offenses (if off the ball), as if they were straight red cards. As both result in a sending off and could considerably impact a game.
Honourable mentions:
- Referees to get free monthly eye-tests from Specsavers.
- Remove VAR completely.
- Remove the on-field ref so players can’t argue with any decision. Imagine this, lol!
- Timed VAR decisions, 2 minute cap - if not decided in 2 mins, it’s not a clear and obvious error is it?
- Teams can only call for VAR review’s 3 times per game. Can only be initiated by the on field Captain.
Anyone else got some suggestions? Just a reminder this is just in the context of the PL. Not Europe or international tournaments.
Hot take here: in addition to VAR and the above measures, having more officials. Taking this from the NFL where officiating is not the best but there is no crowding of the refs and the officials are looking at plays not involving the ball. This includes:
having both linesmen on both halves
having officials along the goal line to detect fouls/hand balls in the box and specifically to see who the call came off of so that the correct call of goal kick or corner kick is more likely to be correct
Possibly having a ref for one half of the field and one in the other half of the field in addition to the main ref for the entire pitch. That way if they see something off the ball they can alert the ref (VARs job I know but the whole Bruno Guimaraes elbowing Jorginho in the back of the head was also supposed to be caught).
Yes this might seem crowded but there are more eyes to spot off the ball incidents and seeing who the ball comes out of play off of.