Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish reckons the Premier League’s smaller clubs will benefit most from VAR.
The Video Assistant Referee was introduced to England’s top flight for the first time this season and it’s already caused controversy.
Parish was one of the early cheerleaders of the technology with Palace benefiting from a couple of penalty calls in their win at Manchester United last week.
“I’ve been to Old Trafford many times, I know what the crowd can do up there, the pressure they place on referees,” he told the Daily Mail. “An underdog won’t ever be winning by many and for the last 20 minutes will probably be hanging on.
“Before, the referee is unlikely to overturn a winning goal, or an equaliser, for United because the crowd are going mad. But, suddenly, I’m sitting there as the chairman of Crystal Palace and there’s a chance a man away from the stadium, away from any influence, might come in for me.”
He added: “Look, I don’t love it, and it won’t stop controversy, but I think if VAR favours anyone it is the underdog. Think of the biggest calls so far. Manchester United at Paris St Germain. You couldn’t see them scoring. Without VAR they’re not winning that game.
“Then the two matches Tottenham have had against Manchester City. One of them is a history-changing game because they get to a Champions League final eventually after that. And no-one even saw the infringement.”