EXCLUSIVE: Keith Hackett on more refereeing and VAR mistakes at this World Cup

[p][i]The former head of PGMOL will be our refereeing expert throughout the World Cup, taking a close look at the performances of the men with the whistle, as well as other talking points.[/i][/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/uruguay/xMk44orG/"]Uruguay[/a] vs [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a][/h2][p]Uruguay should've had a penalty kick and were justifiably furious that the tackle by Spain’s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/olmo-dani/2oVBOlPg/"]Dani Olmo[/a] didn't result in an intervention by VAR.[/p][p]A review of the video clearly shows the foul, so with the referee having made a clear and obvious error, the question that must be asked is why there was no intervention.[/p][p]Has FIFA, through their Director of Referees, Pierluigi Collina, in those pre-tournament workshops, set the threshold for intervention by VAR too high?[/p][p]I have no doubt he and his aides will have forensically reviewed this and several other incidents where VAR didn't intervene in line with the criteria.[/p][p]In my opinion, the standard expected from the VAR teams is not where it should be for the most prestigious tournament in the world.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/germany/ptQide1O/"]Germany[/a] vs [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ecuador/8tbm8Tri/"]Ecuador[/a][/h2][p]The early goal scored by Germany should've been ruled out for a clear foul in the build-up to the goal.[/p][p]In replays of the incident, you can see clearly that the boot of the German player is at the head height of his opponent.[/p][image alt="Referee Tori Penso reviews a potential foul in the Ecuador vs. Germany game" id="12265f04-c4a0-4016-a431-8e57e3d897bd" credit-line="Tom Weller / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP / Profimedia" guid="363fe297-1972-4b65-9d38-aad729015116" original-width="1400" original-height="932" /][p]The challenge is reckless, so where was VAR when reviewing the goal?[/p][p]Referee Tori Penso was let down by her VAR colleague, who failed to intervene on another clear and obvious error.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/panama/OWKqbCfi/"]Panama[/a] vs [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a][/h2][p]Some of the stadiums at this World Cup are outstanding facilities. I have some concerns about the World Cup Final venue, New York New Jersey Stadium, however.[/p][p]I watched the players of both teams closely in this game, and there was an uneven bounce with the ball due to a playing surface that was below the standard expected.[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-africa/W2ijYvlr/"]South Africa[/a] vs [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/canada/x4toKORL/"]Canada[/a][/h2][p]Just before the half-time interval, a challenge by a South African defender brought loud appeals for a penalty kick by Canadian players, but the referee stood unmoved, awarding a goal kick.[/p][p]This might normally have resulted in a frantic review of all the viewing angles available by the VAR team to achieve clarity of the incident, but they were satisfied that the referee had not made a clear and obvious error and communicated that to the referee immediately over the comms system.[/p][p]When I was General Manager of the PGMOL, I introduced the use of communication kits into refereeing, which are now standard equipment worldwide.[/p][p]Errors from players of both teams in this game meant it was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter.[/p][h2]Water Breaks[/h2][p]We now have a game of four quarters, which does impact negatively on game flow.[/p][p]At the start of the World Cup, we were all made aware that FIFA and the lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), were taking appropriate action to improve actual game flow.[/p][image alt="Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman and his players during the water break in the game vs Morocco" id="17769985-0e7c-4e4e-932f-ed79ce3c2eab" credit-line="ANP / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="9f1ef5a2-20eb-440f-97bc-dcb7a33d08a0" original-width="1400" original-height="1058" /][p]If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated. [/p][p]If the ball is then not in play at the end of the countdown, the throw-in will be awarded to the opposing team, while a delayed goal kick will result in a corner kick being awarded to the opponents.[/p][h2]Time-limited substitutions[/h2][p]To further streamline match flow, substituted players must leave the field of play within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed or, where there is no substitution board, of the referee’s signal. [/p][p]Should the player fail to leave within this time, they must still exit the field, but the substitute will not be permitted to enter until the first stoppage after one minute (running clock) has elapsed following the restart.[/p][h2]Off-field treatment and assessment[/h2][p]Where a player receives an on-field assessment for an injury, or their injury causes play to be stopped, the player will be required to leave the field of play and remain off it for one minute (running clock) once play has restarted.[/p][p]This and the other actions above are all positive, but what about the challenges going forward?[/p][p]It is evident that increasing the number of countries qualifying for this World Cup has resulted in several teams “parking the bus,” believing a draw would see them through to the knockout stages.[/p][p]The amount of defensive play has produced a number of games bereft of entertainment; however, the biggest negative (water breaks) has been created by FIFA itself.[/p][p]I would suggest that the use of an electric golf cart, carrying water driven out to the centre of the field with no coaching allowed, could reduce the time required for these stoppages from three minutes to two.[/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]