VAR will punish divers immediately – Webb

Howard Webb says diving players will run the risk of “immediate punishment” under the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee system.

VAR is to be introduced in Major League Soccer from August 5, as well as from the third round of the upcoming season’s FA Cup, ahead of a potential wider implementation which will be decided upon sometime after Russia 2018.

Retrospective punishment for diving will already be introduced for 2017/18, but the arrival of VAR will provide the greater deterrent of immediate punishment for those involved.

The new system will be used to rule on the validity of contentious goals, penalty decisions, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

It will therefore also exclude diving outside of the area, but if a referee is suspicious of anything within it, the use of VAR can eradicate any uncertainty and result in at least a yellow card.

Webb’s stance on the need for video technology changed in 2009 with Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to France’s winning goal in a World Cup qualifying play-off that led to Ireland’s elimination.

Since his retirement Webb has become the MLS’ manager of VAR operations and, asked about diving, he responded: “If...