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HomeExclusives Tue 9 April 2024 19:10, UK

Former West Ham forward Frank McAvennie has recommended the Premier League bring in analysts to run the VAR process rather than using referees or former players.

This comes after the controversial incident in the 2-1 win against Wolves where Max Kilman had a late equaliser ruled out for a contentious offside decision.

He went on to insist referees will always want to protect their fellow officials whereas analysts would be impartial and subjective with their decision-making.

McAvennie - speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone - fumed at VAR in its current form, with the "nonsense" offside decisions "ruining" the game.

"I don't like VAR. I think it was brought in to enhance the game and it's absolutely ruining it. You can't celebrate a goal and you can't do anything. That is not what it was brought in for," McAvennie fumed.

"They say they have it a lot easier over on the continent. I think it's time now to bring in analysts. If VAR's going to stay, you've got to bring in analysts. You don't want footballers in there, but you've got to get the referees out of there because they're not going to go against their friends.

"None of this nonsense where even if it's your toenail you're offside, get lost. Anyone that's level should be onside, it's as simple as that. Somebody with a size nine is offside but somebody with a size seven is onside? Give me a break.

"I think in Belgium or something they use analysts, it's not anything to do with football. You're not going to be sitting there for five minutes, they can just say yes or no."

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VAR questions emerge again after West Ham v Wolves McAvennie has joined former Premier League referee Mark Halsey in his criticism of officials following the controversial decision to disallow Wolves' goal, as Halsey insisted the goal should have stood despite the player in an offside position.

The call has proved divisive, with Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy arguing live on talkSPORT as O'Hara insisted the goal should have stood, while Cundy explained that by the letter of the law, the right call was made by the VAR.

McAvennie's suggested changes, however, would involve more impartial officiating and less unconscious bias from officials who have previously admitted do not want to throw their friends and colleagues under the bus.

The latest outcry against VAR and officiating in the Premier League is just one in a long line of complaints this season, and it has become clear that something must change soon in an attempt to improve the technology which simply isn't up to scratch.

In other West Ham news, Chris Sutton hit out at Gary O'Neil for his claims.