‘My opinion’ - Alan Shearer gives controversial VAR verdict that will divide Newcastle United supporters

Alan Shearer believes Premier League clubs should keep VAR - while advocating for reform on how the technology is used.

A vote on whether to scrap VAR is set to take place at the top flight’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month. Wolverhampton Wanderers tabled the proposal after being on the wrong end of several high-profile decisions this season.

The software has been in place since the 2019-20 campaign but there are growing calls among players, managers and supporters to abolish it altogether. Fans were first introduced to VAR on a global scale at the 2018 World Cup and English clubs waited a further year before installing the technology. 

However, pub debates have centred around VAR in recent years. Frustration about how authorities use it has caused anger - having originally been promised to intervene for “clear and obvious” errors only. 

Newcastle felt hard done by just hours after the vote was announced, with referee Robert Jones turning down Anthony Gordon’s penalty appeal against Manchester United. Toon icon Shearer has urged Premier League clubs to keep VAR but for referees to be given more power.

“It’s very difficult to go against any of those points (why VAR should be scrapped) because all of those points have happened and are happening and will continue to happen,” he told The Rest Is Football podcast. “My opinion would be that I would still keep VAR but I would have a complete reset and go back to what they told us. 

“How many times have I said it? For the absolute howlers and they are not going to re-referee the game, that’s what I would do it as.”