Referee Bobby Madley says he “hates” VAR

Referee Bobby Madley has said he “hates” the video assistant referee technology in football because it takes the “emotion away” from the game.

Madley officiates matches in the English Football League (EFL) and is a fourth official for Premier League games.

The EFL does not use VAR in regular league games, whereas it is employed across matches in England’s top flight.

“As a fan, hate it, hate it. Love the Championship, love League One – I’m still a fan,” said Madley, who was speaking at the Cheltenham Science Festival during an event on technology in sport.

“I love League One because you score a goal, you look at the referee, you look at the assistant, he hasn’t put his flag up, it’s a goal.

“It [VAR] takes that emotion away from it and football is a game where there could be one moment in the game, one goal, and that’s it.

“To take that emotion away, to have to wait and wait, and what feels like an eternity, as a fan I’m not a huge fan of that experience.”

More to follow.