Referees chief Howard Webb says airing conversations between on-pitch officials and VARs concerning key Premier League incidents is likely to become a regular event.

Webb talked through some of the two-way audio discussions from this season on Monday evening during a pilot feature alongside Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Incidents dissected by the trio included disallowed goals for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard against Liverpool and Leicester, respectively, plus the overturning of a penalty for an adjudged handball by Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior in their 2-0 win at Newcastle on May 7.

“We’re looking to do this as much as we possibly can and obviously tonight is something new,” said Webb, the chief refereein…

Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas believes he plays a more important role in the side under Gerardo Martino.

Fabregas, who rejoined Barca from Arsenal in 2011, has been a regular under Martino and scored 11 goals this season, just three shy of his total for the entire 2012-13 campaign.

The Spain international has been quick to credit Barca s coach for his form this campaign.

Martino has given me confidence, Fabregas told EFE.

He has always believed in me and knows what type of player I am.

He doesn t ask me to do things he knows I can t and is always trying to exploit my strengths.

Of the last 16 games, I ve played 15. That s very good for me because I m not playing in every other game. I m playing for 80 or 90 minutes every time and I feel more impo…

Cameroon captain Stephane M Bia has joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer from Sevilla, .

The experienced midfielder has signed a three-year deal with the Turkish giants, but many will be surprised that he opted to leave the Europa League holders and move to Turkey.

M Bia developed into one of La Liga s top players during his time at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, helping the club win back to back Europa League titles and finally secure Champions League qualification.

However, despite having offers from Europe s top sides, the 29-year-old decided to sign a lucrative deal with Trabzonspor and join a less competitive championship.

M Bia had spent his early career in France, representing Rennes and Marseille, while he joined Premier League side QPR in the summer of…

The postponed Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals will take place on July 24 and 31, respectively, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.

Both matches were postponed in April due to the coronavirus pandemic, with prime minister Edouard Philippe announcing all sporting events had been halted in an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19.

Although that led to the premature conclusion of Ligue 1, with final places in the table decided on a points-per-game basis, the FFF delayed a decision regarding the two cup finals, giving rise to the possibility the showpiece events could go ahead at a later date.

With the virus largely under control in France, provisional dates in late July were put forward as possibilities.

The FFF confirmed thos…

Ajax kept up their winning start in Champions League Group H as Dani Parejo s penalty miss proved costly for Valencia in a 3-0 away victory for Erik ten Hag s side.

Hakim Ziyech broke the deadlock in stunning fashion eight minutes in, setting the tone for a thrilling tussle which could have swung in Valencia s favour had Parejo not skied his spot-kick.

Quincy Promes thumped in Ajax s second after Parejo s miss and the woodwork denied Rodrigo and Ziyech at either end before half-time.

Dusan Tadic – who teed up Ziyech s opener – passed up a golden chance to further Ajax s lead after the interval, but he atoned by setting up Donny van de Beek, who duly ensured last season s semi-finalists made it two wins from two.

Our Donny.

— AFC Ajax (@A…

(GSM) Reigning European Champions Spain start their hunt for World Cup glory in Durban in the Moses Mabhida Stadium where Switzerland is the first opponent. La Furia Roja are considered as one of the top favourites to win the tournament as the heart of the team that won the European title two years ago is still intact. The team is build round several top players as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, Barcelona defenders Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique, Barca playmaker Xavi and the lethal tandem Fernando Torres (Liverpool) and David Villa (Valencia, next year Barcelona).

They will face a weakened opponent as the Swiss will be without the injured duo Alexander Frei and Valon Behrami. Skipper Frei will be dearly missed as he s the country s all-time leading scorer with 40 internat…

(GSM) Arsenal forward Eduardo is set to leave the club after being told by Arsene Wenger that he is not part of first-team plans for next season. The 27-year-old Croatia international has failed to make a great impact at the Emirates after the horror tackle which broke his leg in 2008.

New signing Marouane Chamakh will be partnering Robin van Persie up front next season while Eduardo will be given the chance to revive his career next season according to the Mail.

And Eduardo is believed to favor a move away from the physically-demanding Premier League as top European clubs queue for his signature.

…

that Manchester City are hot on the trail of Ponferradina forward Ruben Sobrino Pozuelo.

The Citizens have been impressed with the youngster s performances in Spain s second division and they aim to acquire his services this summer.

Manchester City have already matched the player s €1 million release clause, but the problem is that his former club Real Madrid own the right of first refusal.

This means they can either match said bid and bring the forward back to Santiago Bernabeu or collect half of the transfer fee if he joins the Citizens.

Sobrino came through the youth ranks at Real Madrid and while showing some promise playing for Real Madrid C, he couldn t score a single goal in 20 appearances for the reserves.

He did show some improvement …

Ajax midfielder Davy Klaassen has penned a two-year contract extension with the Amsterdam outfit, the club announced on Thursday.

The 21-year-old s existing deal was set to expire in 2016, but the new contract sees the playmaker extend his stay at the Amsterdam Arena until June 2018.

Having broken into the first-team picture this season, Klaassen has made 22 appearances in the Eredivisie and contributed a healthy return of nine goals.

And Klaassen is thrilled to be prolonging his tenure with Frank de Boer s champions as they seek a fourth-consecutive crown.

Speaking to the club s official website, he said: This is a logical step for me. We really want to start building something with Ajax, and I think we are doing well.

I believe that beautiful things can h…

Leonardo Jardim declared his support for Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d Or race ahead of Monaco s meeting with Antoine Griezmann and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Perennial contender and current holder Ronaldo is expected to face strong competition from Atleti star Griezmann and former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric.

The latter pair excelled at the World Cup, with Griezmann scoring four goals to help France to glory.

Monaco defender Benjamin Henrichs could be tasked with marking the 27-year-old on Tuesday and suggested the forward deserves  the award following his performances over the 12 months.

But former Sporting boss Jardim believes Ronaldo – who opened his account for Juventus on Sunday, scoring twice in a 2-1 victory over Sassu…