Bees United: Webb's undertaking to prove VAR works in Premier League

By Charlie Corr
Bees United Contributor

I'm not a former referee, nor do I claim to be an officiating or Video Assistant Referee (VAR) expert. But one thing I can claim is that I had the privilege of working alongside one of the top referees and footballing intellectual minds: Howard Webb, the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) chief operating officer, who has now completed his first season overseeing the Premier League officials.

When Webb was general manager at the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) in the USA, I was working in Major League Soccer's communications department in New York City. MLS was one of the first leagues to fully integrate VAR in professional matches (2017), before the EPL's launch (2019-20). Having seen the initial products of VAR at both MLS and the EPL, I can pinpoint some noticeable trends taking shape in the Premier League.

For the full piece, visit BeesUnited.org.uk.

Joe Fletcher named PRO Manager of Senior Assistant Referees

From PRO Media

The Professional Referee Organization is expanding its experienced front office staff with the addition of former MLS Assistant Referee of the Year Joe Fletcher, under the role of PRO Manager of Senior Assistant Referees. Fletcher's role, under the supervision of PRO Director of Senior Match Officials Mark Geiger, will primarily focus on the training and development of MLS-level Assistant Referees.

For more, visit PROreferees.com.

Soccer America: Pair of PRO referees work as AVARs during final day of FIFA Club World Cup

From Soccer America

A pair of PRO referees will work as assistant video assistant referees on Saturday at the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. Kyle Atkins will be the AVAR for the Liverpool-Flamengo final while Alan Kelly will work the third-place game between Monterrey and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.

It marks the third year in a row PRO has been represented in the Club World Cup final.

For more visit SoccerAmerica.com.

Howard Webb: Video Review & PRO presentation - Montreal

USA Today Sports Images -
PRO GM Howard Webb

Via MLS and Montreal Impact Communications:

Montreal media covered a presentation by Professional Referee Organization General Manager Howard Webb on Sept. 29, 2019, as Webb discussed the progress made in the Video Review realm. Coverage included the following:

Pro Soccer USA: Howard Webb, PRO testing new VAR technologies with cautious mind: CLICK HERE

Radio-Canada: Howard Webb: Officiating improves in MLS (in French): CLICK HERE

Journal de Montreal: MLS aims at improvement (in French): CLICK HERE

Soccer Today! Podcast with Kevin Laramee and Duane Rollins: CLICK HERE

KAN FC LE Podcast: Table Ronde Howard Webb (audio): CLICK HERE

98.5 Sports: Review decisions, Impact, goal-line technology and more (in French): CLICK HERE

TVA Sports live interview: Montreal vs. Atlanta: CLICK HERE

TSN Radio live interview: Montreal vs. Atlanta: CLICK HERE