Inside £1m ‘futuristic’ VAR hub with pool table and MASSAGE AREA as ex-Premier League ref blasts it as ‘holiday camp’
- 5 months ago
REFS’ chief Howard Webb has been warned: Stockley Park is a huge waste of money.
London’s “elite performance” VAR complex — costing more than £1million — opened in August.
PGMOL boss Webb claimed the “cutting-edge” VAR hub would deliver “an environment where the best possible outcomes can be achieved to benefit the game”.
But a host of Prem chiefs — including Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp, Erik ten Hag, David Moyes and Gary O’Neil — have been upset at video ref decisions this season.
And former top ref Mark Halsey blasted: “The facilities on offer at Stockley Park make it seem like a holiday camp. But referees and officials are there to do a job.
“Howard wants a central hub but doesn’t need a workplace that is all about rest.
“The money spent is a tidy sum but what are we getting for it? Certainly not world-class officials.
“Nice conference rooms, top-of-the-range furniture, a gym, and an area for table tennis.”
Refs at Stockley Park can use a lounge, canteen, gym, massage area, pool table, and outdoor balcony with sofas and views over London.
Halsey added: “I could understand splashing the cash on accessories if VARs were getting the decisions right. But they’re not so it’s a waste of money.
“Some incidents we have seen in the last few weeks have shown VAR has not improved since its implementation. If anything, it has gone backward.
“VAR isn’t working, not because of the technology, but because of the personnel operating it.
“We should be putting the money into producing better quality coaching and training for officials, rather than facilities at Stockley Park.
“The standard of refereeing is not what it should be at an elite level. We only have a handful of top-level refs in Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor, and Chris Kavanagh and that’s not good enough.
“VARs should not be based at Stockley Park. They should be on the ground as part of the team of officials.
“That would build better relationships and aid the VAR process.”
Liverpool boss Klopp demanded a replay after VAR Darren England wrongly ruled out a Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham.
Arsenal called for an officiating shake-up after Arteta’s rant over Newcastle’s controversial winner.
The Gunners claimed Anthony Gordon’s goal should have been chalked off for a foul, handball, offside and the ball being out of play.
Former Toon boss Graeme Souness slammed the “flagrantly poor refereeing”, while Halsey and fellow ex-refs Dermot Gallagher, Keith Hackett, Mark Clattenburg, and Chris Foy all said VAR should have disallowed Gordon’s goal.
Hackett fumed: “The decision to allow it to stand was a clear case of VAR not performing to the standard it should. The rest of the world is laughing at us.”
But PGMOL chief Webb backed ref Stuart Attwell and VAR Andy Madley in allowing it when VAR audio of the incident was released.
Madley hints the ball HAD gone out when he says to the video operator: “Go two frames forward, the ball is already back in play.”
Halsey said: “What does Madley m
London’s “elite performance” VAR complex — costing more than £1million — opened in August.
PGMOL boss Webb claimed the “cutting-edge” VAR hub would deliver “an environment where the best possible outcomes can be achieved to benefit the game”.
But a host of Prem chiefs — including Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp, Erik ten Hag, David Moyes and Gary O’Neil — have been upset at video ref decisions this season.
And former top ref Mark Halsey blasted: “The facilities on offer at Stockley Park make it seem like a holiday camp. But referees and officials are there to do a job.
“Howard wants a central hub but doesn’t need a workplace that is all about rest.
“The money spent is a tidy sum but what are we getting for it? Certainly not world-class officials.
“Nice conference rooms, top-of-the-range furniture, a gym, and an area for table tennis.”
Refs at Stockley Park can use a lounge, canteen, gym, massage area, pool table, and outdoor balcony with sofas and views over London.
Halsey added: “I could understand splashing the cash on accessories if VARs were getting the decisions right. But they’re not so it’s a waste of money.
“Some incidents we have seen in the last few weeks have shown VAR has not improved since its implementation. If anything, it has gone backward.
“VAR isn’t working, not because of the technology, but because of the personnel operating it.
“We should be putting the money into producing better quality coaching and training for officials, rather than facilities at Stockley Park.
“The standard of refereeing is not what it should be at an elite level. We only have a handful of top-level refs in Michael Oliver, Anthony Taylor, and Chris Kavanagh and that’s not good enough.
“VARs should not be based at Stockley Park. They should be on the ground as part of the team of officials.
“That would build better relationships and aid the VAR process.”
Liverpool boss Klopp demanded a replay after VAR Darren England wrongly ruled out a Luis Diaz goal against Tottenham.
Arsenal called for an officiating shake-up after Arteta’s rant over Newcastle’s controversial winner.
The Gunners claimed Anthony Gordon’s goal should have been chalked off for a foul, handball, offside and the ball being out of play.
Former Toon boss Graeme Souness slammed the “flagrantly poor refereeing”, while Halsey and fellow ex-refs Dermot Gallagher, Keith Hackett, Mark Clattenburg, and Chris Foy all said VAR should have disallowed Gordon’s goal.
Hackett fumed: “The decision to allow it to stand was a clear case of VAR not performing to the standard it should. The rest of the world is laughing at us.”
But PGMOL chief Webb backed ref Stuart Attwell and VAR Andy Madley in allowing it when VAR audio of the incident was released.
Madley hints the ball HAD gone out when he says to the video operator: “Go two frames forward, the ball is already back in play.”
Halsey said: “What does Madley m