West Brom boss Sam Allardyce: VAR rules are ‘more harmful than entertaining’

But while new Albion boss Sam Allardyce is in favour of video technology, the 66-year-old isn’t a fan of how it is currently being used.

The Baggies have fallen on the wrong side of a number of controversial decisions involving VAR this season.

Conor Gallagher arguably should have had a penalty at Manchester United when he was tripped in the box.

Matheus Pereira was unfortunate to see red against Crystal Palace, while on another day Gallagher and Branislav Ivanovic would have been awarded penalties in that game.

And that bad fortune continued in Allardyce’s first match, with Villa’s Kourtney Hause fortunate not to be sent off in the derby.

Having spent two years out of the game after leaving Everton, it is only now that Allardyce is experiencing VAR first-hand.

And the boss believes it is ruining the spectacle of the Premier League.

“I think the game has moved on in some good ways, but I also think it has moved on in some negative ways as well,” Allardyce said when asked how he feels football has changed during his break.

“I think changing so many rules has brought so much negativity into our world of football that it’s made it more harmful than entertaining. That really needs to be addressed

“Unfortunately managers, players and coaches can’t address that. That can only be addressed by the FA, FIFA or even UEFA.

“But they need to seriously look at the mess that it is at the minute.

“I think VAR is right but I think with the way it has been implemented it’s making it even harder for referees to come to the right decisions.

“That has caused huge headaches for every manager and I had a great deal of sympathy for them when I was watching games and when situations had gone against them.

“We have the best league in the world – we know we have got the best league in the world because we sell it to more countries than anyone else.

“So let’s improve that situation and let’s not have all the controversy that lies around VAR and what a decision should or shouldn’t be.

“If we do that it will help us all and most importantly the referees.”

Allardyce feels one positive change that’s happened during his time away is that the Premier League has become more attacking.

“I feel now everyone is trying to go out and entertain,” he continued. “I think we are seeing more opportunities and more goals than we have seen in a long time.

“But there is certainly a big problem with having no fans in the stadium for home results. That has changed the game.

“The pandemic and Covid has shown us how much we need our home fans if you want a strong home record.

“There have been some positive changes and some negative changes – but the fact there has been negative ones, I find that really sad.”

Allardyce admits – following his extended break – he was eager to get back in the game even if his wife would have preferred it if he retired.

And he says he can’t wait for the day he can bring his family – and in particular his excited grandchildren – to a game at The Hawthorns.

“I have been addicted to football since I was 15 and I can’t get rid of the addiction,” he added. “I thought I had cracked it after two years. But I mentioned it to my wife that I was feeling itchy again about getting back.

“She could see it. She wasn’t surprised I took the job even though she wasn’t very happy. But she always supports me.

“It’s nearly 47 years we have been married. She has had to put up with the times when I’ve been really down because of a bad run of games.

“She is there, she has thought of some great team talks in the past that have helped me to then go and stimulate the players.

“She is a big support behind me, the whole family is. My family are very excited. My grandchildren in particular can’t wait to come down and watch the games.”