Liverpool midfielder James Milner believes Video Assistant Referee is ruining the atmosphere at football venues and claims many footballers like him do not favour the use of the technology.
VAR which has been introduced for the first time this season in the English Premier League has been a subject of controversy and debate since the start of the campaign.
It has been used in all 100 Premier League matches so far this season, but opinion is split among the players and managers about its success.
“Goal-line technology is incredible. Instant decision. Black and white,” Milner told The Guradian.
“But it’s very hard to use VAR when you’ve still got opinions on the decisions and the atmosphere is being ruined.”
Milner admits in his autobiography that he hates VAR, and says he stands by his comment in the interview.
“It might just be the old-school part of me, but I think there’s still too much debate around VAR. You score, there’s an explosion of noise and then it’s VAR. You wait. Is it a goal?”
Milner was affected by VAR when he scored a delayed penalty in the final minute to beat Leicester 2-1 in the Premier League.
“That was a new experience as they’re debating if it’s going to be a penalty. I think there’s use for it – if we can improve it,” the former Manchester City and Aston Villa player added.
“But football is a game of human error on the field and in officiating as well. They have a very tough job and I’m all for making their lives easier – but not at the expense of the flow of the game.
“If the VAR took away controversy I’d back it 100 per cent. But we’re still having discussions about VAR. I don’t think many footballers feel differently.”
