In a bid to solve the current refereeing and VAR crisis in the Premier League, 12 ex-players could reportedly join the country's officiating body.
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According to The Sun, Howard Webb, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), is ready to "fast-track" a group of a dozen former footballers in a new refereeing scheme in England.
High-profile mistakes by officials in the Premier League this season on the field and in the VAR room has led to strong criticism over the country's standard of refereeing, with many believing not many of those with the whistle are competent.
Webb is believed to be looking to change that perception, though, and is said to be willing to add 12 recently retired players to the refereeing body with the hope of improving matters quickly.
It has been suggested in the past that referees do not understand the game as well as ex-players, a notion Webb has rejected, but this is said to be an idea the former Premier League official is behind.
The report further claims that the 12 who have nominated themselves will "shortcut the normal progression path undertaken by the PGMOL".
On Monday, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil bemoaned VAR after his side suffered a 3-2 defeat to Fulham in the league, admitting that his initial thoughts on the technology's usefulness have since changed.
"Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR. The impact that you are having on my reputation, and the club and people's livelihoods is massive," he said, according to the Daily Mirror.
"We should be able to talk about the game and not decisions, but unfortunately we can't. I think it is a really complex [issue]. I have always been for VAR but I think it is causing problems at the moment. I think VAR has cost us there."
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Meanwhile, earlier this season, Liverpool were wrongfully disallowed a goal for offside following a miscommunication between the on-field official and those in the VAR room.
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