Howard Webb jets off to the Netherlands amidst VAR controversy

Howard Webb is set to escape the refereeing storm hanging over the PGMOL by flying to the Netherlands to work for UEFA on the side this week.

Webb will act as referee observer for the Europa Conference League group game between Alkmaar and Legia Warsaw on Thursday.

The 52-year-old Englishman will be at the AFAS Stadion to evaluate the officiating team led by referee Nenad Minakovic by marking them on how they perform.

It is not known how much UEFA’s referee observers are being paid per assignment this season – if anything – but one former observer told Mail Sport that expenses are covered for up to €400 (£350) per day.

According to UEFA’s website, Webb’s role will include attending a meeting on the morning of the match, which suggests he may fly to Alkmaar on Wednesday. Webb will act as a mentor to Minakovic and Co while abroad, also visiting the officials after full-time for a dressing room debrief on Thursday before filing his report to UEFA on Friday or Saturday upon his return to England.

UEFA say they employ more than 200 observers, appointing one to every fixture in the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. Webb’s PGMOL predecessor Mike Riley also worked as an observer.

The trip comes after Webb and the PGMOL released the audio of the mistake made by VAR Darren England and his assistant Dan Cook during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Tottenham.

England and Cook were part of an officiating team sent to the United Arab Emirates to oversee a UEA Pro League match, two days prior to their VAR error at Stockley Park. The PGMOL have faced criticism for sanctioning that 16-hour round trip on the eve of such a significant Premier League fixture, while insiders suggested referees can command around $3,000 (£2,500) for these one-off assignments in the Middle East.

Both England and Cook have been dropped from this weekend’s fixture list following their mistake, while referee Simon Hooper will act as VAR for Everton versus Bournemouth on Saturday.

The former Manchester United man said on TNT Sports: “But I actually think it’s brilliant in general for the game in general. All the people who say it’s a conspiracy, that is nonsense.

“This is a big, big human error. And anyone who’s got a heart is feeling for the VAR there”.

We can’t really be too surprised by the decision of a man who claimed to be one of us, yet moved to Old Trafford and now he seems hell bent on coming out with the most ridiculous of comments.