In a direct response to the Declan Rice handball storm that overshadowed Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at the Emirates, the FA is reportedly weighing a rule change.
Chelsea lost to Arsenal for the third time since Liam Rosenior was appointed, with all three of the Blues’ defeats coming against the Gunners.
But it could have been very different with two incidents going against Chelsea. Joao Pedro was under challenge from David Raya and Declan Rice’s handball was both dismissed.
Mark Clattenburg even claimed that Rice should have been penalised for the handball, citing the inconsistencies from referees this season.
And The FA are thinking about a rule that could have helped the Blues’ situation.
Finish our XI to face Villa!
The FA are considering trialing a ‘coach’s challenge’
The Telegraph is reporting that the FA is keen to explore a challenge system for subjective VAR decisions.
Trials could be launched in the English game of a so-called “coach’s challenge” system, where teams would be allowed a maximum of two unsuccessful appeals.
The only issue with a coach’s challenge is that it’s still subjective, with the final decision coming down to the VAR official.
Also, if the coach’s challenge is taken, then VAR will have already checked and made their decision prior to that moment, so why would they suddenly change their mind?
But examples like that Leeds United handball and corners when they shouldn’t have been, could be good examples of where this new rule could be used.
Chelsea have got it ALL WRONG with Kendry Paez 👇
He should have joined an English club on loan…
A coach’s challenge would work without VAR
Implementing a coach’s challenge system would fundamentally shift the responsibility of VAR. This model, currently being explored by the FA, would allow managers like Liam Rosenior a limited number of appeals, likely two, to contest subjective calls like the Declan Rice handball.
By only reviewing incidents flagged by a coach, the game could see a drastic reduction in the 39-second average VAR delays, as the technology would no longer automatically micro-analyse every passage of play.
Beyond improving match flow, the system offers a psychological safety net, ensuring clear and obvious errors that a referee might miss are corrected through strategic use of a challenge. It forces managers to weigh the importance of a decision against the risk of losing an appeal, adding a layer of tactical intrigue similar to the NFL or Cricket, while restoring the on-field official’s authority.
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