FORMER Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson clashed with referee Mike Dean in a heated VAR debate ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Luton.
A number of officials came under fire last week after VAR wrongfully ruled out Liverpool’s opening goal against Spurs.
After Luis Diaz was flagged offside, those reviewing the decision failed to correct it.
The PGMOL subsequently admitted that a “significant human error” affected the process, leaving fans furious.
A panel of pundits continued to discuss the issues surrounding VAR on Sky’s Soccer Saturday this afternoon, with Dean giving an insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
He said: “I think the way forward is to train them better with the process. It’s an ongoing process. They’re always doing online training.
“Do you get ex-players in? For me, no because half of them don’t even know the rules of the game.
“As you can tell by what you’ve just said about restarting games for the sake of it…”
A furious Merson then jumped in and yelled: “For the sake of it! For the sake of it!
“What do you mean for the sake of it! You’ve got Liverpool against Tottenham, one of the biggest games and you are saying for the sake of it!
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“Come on, there is no law. No one is going to die. So stop the game! You’re all scared!
“You are all like ‘oh my god I am going to get in trouble!’
“Stop the game! Stop the game and then take the circumstances. Because you know the rules, that is different.”
Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas then intervened and implored Merson to “calm down”.
Fans took to social media to react to the “box office” debate, with one person tweeting: “This was brilliant! Completely agree with Merse and Mike Dean was disrespectful here about ex-players knowing the rules.”
Another added: “Merse has just battered Mike Dean.”
A third wrote: “Paul Merson v Mike Dean. Box Office!!!”
While a fourth commented: “Paul Merson rinsing Mike Dean on a Saturday afternoon… Things you love to see.”
Sky Sports are now set to be given more access to VAR as officials look to improve transparency following the controversy.
