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Developer of original VAR system has demanded that referees become specialised in video technology

Football's rule-makers should encourage referees to specialise in video technology to improve the standard of officiating, the former official who pioneered VAR has told The Mail on Sunday.

Raymond van Meenen, the Feyenoord head of operations, also believes that the conversations between the match official and his video assistant should be broadcast to make the decision-making process transparent.

Van Meenen, who developed the original VAR system while working for the Dutch football association, further proposed captains’ challenges that would permit teams to request that certain incidents should be reviewed.

The VAR discussion dominated the aftermath of Crystal Palace's 3-1 victory over Aston Villa
Eagles were awarded a controversial penalty as Marc Guehi's header struck Lucas Digne's arm

VAR sparked more debate at Stamford Bridge last weekend when Tottenham’s Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella to the ground by his hair and Mike Dean, on VAR, decided not to recommend that the referee, Anthony Taylor, review the incident.