ISL 2017/18: Jamshedpur FC coach Steve Coppell asks for VAR, Kerala Blasters boss David James disagrees

Jamshedpur FC head coach Steve Coppell called for the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in order to aid the officials on the pitch, who have come under some criticism in the ISL this season.

Coppell said that VAR is an option that the ISL should consider, due to the poor performances put in by the referees.

"The referees in ISL are being found wanting. The evidence is that they have not come up to the mark. There have been an awful lot of games that have been decided by refereeing decisions later proved to be questionable. Personally, I am in favour of video review (VAR)," the 62-year old said.

Citing his home country as an example, the English manager continued, "It has been introduced in England. It has earned positive reviews in general. It is inevitable that VAR will come in and certainly in such conditions when referees are regularly questioned."

On the other hand, the Kerala Blasters manager was much more lenient on the officials saying that you can't expect the same quality of refereeing as the Premier League.

James said, "It is a topic which is very hot at the moment back in the UK. Ultimately, we are four seasons into the ISL and expecting the referees to say (make decisions) like the standard of the Premier League while the football isn't is asking too much."

When asked whether VAR should be introduced in the league, the 47-year-old said, "No chance. Goal-line technology yes, because that is what the teams are working for; if it crosses the line, it should be a goal. VAR is asking for more indecision, more time taken"

The referees would be under much more pressure in the coming games and it would be interesting to see if the quality of decision-making improves from the officials.