Wednesday 28 March 2018 12:03, UK
Gareth Southgate insists there are still improvements to be made with VAR after a late ruling saw England denied victory against Italy at Wembley on Tuesday.
England had been on course for another 1-0 victory thanks to Jamie Vardy's first-half strike but Lorenzo Insigne grabbed an 88th-minute leveller from the spot after a video assistant referee review.
Referee Deniz Aytekin pointed to the spot after looking at footage of debutant James Tarkowski making contact with Italy substitute Federico Chiesa, but Southgate did not think that the decision was clear and obvious for it to be overturned.
"It is what it is," he said following his side's 1-1 draw. "We have to accept the ruling.
"I think in this instance my only observation would be that I don't think it is clear and obvious.
"I would prefer that the referee's decision is final. That is my start point because I think it is sport so we should not be talking about how much money it costs or how much money is lost. It should be based on sport.
"But if we are going to go with technology then I think it is the right thing to do. For me, the two areas are, one, only clear and obvious, otherwise it is just opinion again. And two, as we move forward, a better way of communicating with the fans in the crowd.
"That was a little better tonight because at least they knew something was going on," he added. "I think ideally in other sports there is a clearer communication with those in the stadium.
"When those at home have a clearer idea of what is going on than those in the stadium I am not sure that's the right thing.
"But other than that, if we had had it in Holland the other night I think we would have got a penalty and probably a red card for the opposition after two minutes. So it is like every other decision, you are going to benefit from some and not from others."
FIFA has confirmed VAR will be used at this summer's World Cup in Russia after the International Football Association Board (IFAB) reached a unanimous decision to approve the technology earlier this month, following a two-year trial period.
Trials have taken place in England this season in FA Cup and Carabao Cup games and the technology has been met by plenty of criticism.
When asked if he thought VAR was ready for the World Cup, Southgate said: "I don't know.
"You would have to speak to the guys who are across the technology. I think if it straightforward decisions then OK.
"Other countries are further ahead in the experiment than we have been. But look, the rules are the rules.
"We have got to play the game."
