Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

There can be no change to the offside law at this weekend's meeting

Infantino favours 'daylight' principle for offside law

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has spoken in favour of introducing the 'daylight' principle to the offside law to bring extra clarity.

Soccer • 28 Feb 20

Cezar Azpilicueto confronts Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso

Keith Hackett slams VAR over Lo Celso decision

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett insists the Video Assistant Referee got it badly wrong by not sending off Giovani Lo Celso in Tottenham's home defeat to Chelsea.

Soccer • 22 Feb 20

Wenger looking to fast track offside rule changes

FIFA's Chief of Global Development Arsene Wenger wants to see changes brought into the interpretation of offside before the start of Euro 2020 in June.

Soccer • 19 Feb 20

Video Assistant Referee has brought plenty of debate

VAR set to be used in Ireland's World Cup qualifiers

Video Assistant Referee is set to be used in the Republic of Ireland's 2022 World Cup qualifiers, pending FIFA's final approval.

Soccer • 17 Feb 20

Conor Coady remonstrates with referee Mike Dean at Molineux

Coady: VAR vagaries confuse everyone

Wolves skipper Conor Coady insists referees and players still remain baffled by VAR.

Soccer • 15 Feb 20

Italian FA open to trialling challenge-based VAR

The Italian Football Federation has notified FIFA of its "willingness to experiment" with a VAR challenge process that allows teams to request reviews during matches.

Soccer • 13 Feb 20

A poll found 74 per cent were in favour of VAR being kept, but modified

Huge majority favour keeping a modified VAR

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has questioned whether there might be a need to "build in a bit of tolerance" in the offside rule.

Soccer • 04 Feb 20

Refs will now be instructed to view a pitchside monitor in two scenarios: when upgrading a yellow card to a red card or downgrading a red to a yellow.

Refs told to use pitchside monitors for red card calls

Premier League referees are being instructed by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited [PGMOL], the body responsible for elite match officials in the English game, to make more use of pitchside monitors for red card decisions.

Soccer • 17 Jan 20

Alan Kelly believes 'misconception' exists about VAR

Irish referee Alan Kelly insists that football's Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has been successful overall.

Alan Kelly • 07 Jan 20

Rangers' Alfredo Morelos goes to ground after a challenge from Celtic's Christopher Jullien

Rangers allege Celtic fans racially abused Morelos

Rangers claim Alfredo Morelos was subjected to racist abuse by Celtic fans in Sunday's Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

Soccer • 30 Dec 19

Conor Coady (16) and other Wolves players argue with referee Anthony Taylor

Players left in dark by 'ridiculous' VAR - Coady

Wolves captain Conor Coady hit out at what he called the Premier League's ridiculous use of VAR after his side were on the receiving end of two controversial decisions in their 1-0 defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Soccer • 29 Dec 19

Liverpool win again after VAR controversy

Liverpool beat Wolves 1-0 at Anfield this evening to move 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, but they needed the help of VAR to get over the line.

Soccer • 29 Dec 19

Jonjo Shelvey (2nd from R) and Andy Carroll celebrate

Shelvey seizes day as Blades caught waiting for whistle

Sheffield United's seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a shuddering halt as Newcastle benefited from one of the season's more bizarre VAR decisions to win 2-0 at Bramall Lane.

Soccer • 06 Dec 19

VAR has come in for heavy criticism from clubs and supporters alike over lengthy delays and a lack of clarity over precisely what is being looked at.

Premier League vows to give fans more VAR clarity

Match-going fans can expect to be provided with more detailed information during video assistant referee (VAR) checks from next month, the Premier League has announced, but pitch-side monitors will continue to be used sparingly.

Soccer • 14 Nov 19

It has been reported that at least one Premier League chairman may raise the idea of an appeals system to use VAR

No strong VAR objections from southern-based managers

There were no strong objections to the way the video assistant referee is being used in the Premier League at a gathering of southern-based top-flight managers last week, it is understood.

Soccer • 06 Nov 19

VAr delays have disrupted Premier League matches

Premier League clubs could ask for VAR revamp

Premier League clubs could push for increased use of pitchside monitors by referees when they gather for a shareholders' meeting on 14 November.

Soccer • 29 Oct 19

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levels it for Arsenal

Aubameyang and VAR help Arsenal to a draw at United

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had an equaliser awarded by VAR as Manchester United and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Soccer • 30 Sep 19

'We all accept that system in the game and now I am not going to complain'

'I'm not going to complain about VAR call' - Pochettino

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he will "not complain" about the VAR decision to deny his side a second goal in their 2-1 defeat to Leicester.

Soccer • 21 Sep 19

Some Ireland fans feel this is an all too familiar sight

Ireland-Scotland ref Barnes promises no surprises

Wayne Barnes is back in charge of another high-profile Ireland game, and he relishing the gig.

Rugby • 17 Sep 19

VAR has made four mistakes so far, says referees' chief

Referees' chief Mike Riley has admitted that four mistakes have been made by VAR in the Premier League so far this season.

Soccer • 12 Sep 19

RTÉ Soccer Podcast - The UCD predicament

This week's RTÉ Soccer podcast has landed, with our panel reflecting on another busy seven days domestically.

Soccer • 19 Aug 19

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus appeals to referee Michael Oliver after his goal is ruled out by VAR

Deja VAR for City as Spurs escape with a point

Substitute Gabriel Jesus had a last-gasp goal disallowed by VAR as Premier League champions Manchester City had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in scenes reminiscent of the sides' Champions League meeting earlier in the year.

Soccer • 17 Aug 19

Howard Webb wishes he could have reviewed this Nigel de Jony challenge from the World Cup final in 2010

Webb: VAR will improve the Premier League

Former World Cup final referee Howard Webb says Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only improve the English Premier League.

Soccer • 09 Aug 19

VAR's implementation has been controversial

Supporters call for VAR in UK's lower leagues

Supporters have called for the use of VAR in the lower leagues, according to a survey of 28,000 people carried out by the English Football League.

Soccer • 11 Jul 19

The incident has provoked plenty of debate

Controversial handball rule 'needs to change'

Following more handball controversy at the Women's World Cup, the RTÉ soccer panel believe that defenders will have to get used to running with their hands behind their backs unless the new laws are adjusted.

Soccer • 26 Jun 19