OLD SCHOOL

TOP PUNDITS like Gary Neville and Alan Shearer were given a lesson on the laws of football by refereeing chiefs.

SunSport has learned stars from all of the major broadcasters were invited to a conference call with PGMOL boss Howard Webb and the Premier League’s director of operations Tony Scholes last month.

The Prem called the briefing due to their desire for broadcasters to be fully informed over how VAR will operate this season amid frustration at errors made during commentaries last term.

Over 70 pundits from all of the top-flight’s domestic rights holders, Sky Sports, TNT Sport and the BBC attended.

Webb is understood to have provided reminders about the laws of the game, interpretations by referees, as well as changes to how VAR will be used, while Scholes gave an update on various off-field issues including the football calendar.

Summer meetings with top-flight managers have been held for years.

But this was the first time a conference call has been held just for pundits.

A similar briefing was also given to broadcasters.

The Prem are promising quicker decisions, fewer interventions from VAR and more backing for the on-field ref’s judgement.

Webb is also committed to greater transparency and has pledged to give fans more big-screen replays in stadiums, while offering “near-live” explanations of VAR calls on social media platform X.

The explanations were used throughout the opening weekend of the Premier League.

They covered issues in the matches, such as Eberechi Eze’s ruled-out goal for Crystal Palace against Brentford.

There has also been a number of rule changes made to the competition this season.

This includes the ability to allow more substitutes to warm up on the touchline.

There will also be more accurate calculations for added time in matches.

A big change will come in after one of the international breaks as semi-automated offsides will be implemented.

The technology is powered by artificial intelligence and promises to “minimise breaks in the game and deliver accuracy”.

This should help referees manage games more smoothly and with less controversy -Sun.