Premier League fans will finally be able to listen in to referee and VAR audio as part of an upcoming show on Sky Sports.
Referee chief Howard Webb is keen to increase transparency so that clubs and fans can better understand how and why decisions are made during matches.
The new feature is set to be trialled in a 30-minute show which will be screened ahead of Liverpool's trip to Leicester on Monday next week. Webb, who is due to appear as a guest on Monday Night Football, is expected to run viewers through the flash points.
The news will comes as welcome relief for supporters who are growing increasingly weary of an apparent lack of consistency in Premier League officiating since the introduction of VAR.
Webb has been doing his best to put out fires since he was appointed Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief in August 2022.
He's issued several unappreciated apologies on behalf of the PGMOL in response to glaring refereeing gaffes and even got rid of Lee Mason after the VAR bungled a key moment during Arsenal's clash with Brentford in February.
Is letting fans hear audio from referees and VAR a good idea? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Supporters are confident that providing in-game audio will benefit the game in England, pointing to the fact that doing so has worked gangbusters in others countries, most notably in Australia's A-League and, more recently, in France's Ligue 1.
"This is a no-brainer. Why it's taken them so long to figure out providing referee audio is a good thing is beyond me," one Premier League fan tweeted in response to the news.
Another commented: "Officials won't be able to hide anymore. This can only be good for the game," while other suggested the feature could have far-reaching ramifications.
"If refs are mic'd up I bet it'll stop players from shouting abuse in their face. Once one player gets savaged for calling the ref a c*** they'll all stop," a third fan said.
Japemnorsz
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The power of Jurgen Klopp… ESPN FC and TalkSPORT pundits can say what they like about Jurgen. Jurgen acted within his jurisdiction as a manager, but overreacted as a manager outside his emotions🤘🏽. Simon Jordan, Craig Burly, Shaka and Jim White can call Klopp daddy. Simon reacted irritated and his emotions was all over TalkSPORT studios calling Klopp a liar, but who criticised him as many upcoming presenters who admired him was following and exposed to such a behaviour. All pundits that are abusive, did not play at the highest level - no mental monsters. Martin Keown - must respect, Ian Wright - much respect - these are EPL winners. They are articulated and well mannered within the framework of winning and losing. Many only lost and admire the desire to could’ve been a winner - Gabby. LFC