‘Only way out of this mess’ – Gary Lineker proposes solution to VAR controversy with Premier League clubs set to vote on scrapping technology

Lineker, 63, has suggested that video assistant referees (VAR) operate on an appeal-style system. Other sports such as basketball and cricket use a similar method, which aims to limit the amount of times each side can request the intervention of VAR.

Speaking on theRest is Football podcast, Lineker said: "The only way out of this mess, and I think they should keep offside and goal-line technology.

"But I think you either scrap the rest of it or, more realistically, you take it to an appeal system.

"You limit the amount of times that VAR can intervene. It can not intervene unless someone appeals.

"It has to be the captain and they have got to tell you what they are appealing for.

"It does not mean there is a goal and you have got to find some kind of foul somewhere.

"They have to stipulate what the foul is, the captain does it, and if it is a foul then it is a foul, there is no bar.

"It is the decision that the VAR and the referee come to. Maybe one appeal a half, but it stops VAR coming into every possible corner that comes in. It stops all those things.

"You can have 20 seconds to do the appeal and it would add to the drama. You can get it on the screens and all that kind of stuff. It won't be where every single goal is looked at."

The discussion arrives as the Premier League now face a vote to scrap the use of VAR in the sport. All 20 member clubs will vote at the annual general meeting on June 6. The situation was triggered after Wolverhampton Wanderers submitted a resolution to the Premier League in midweek.

According to the BBC, Liverpool - as well as three other clubs - are not in favour of scrapping the system.

As previously noted, Premier League clubs will now vote on whether or not VAR will be removed from the top flight of English football next season. The league itself remains in support of VAR and will implement semi-automated offsides next season if it is not removed.

Any rule change would need 14 of the 20 teams to vote in favour of removing it.