Match Officials: Mic'd Up: Release date, how to watch Howard Webb discuss Premier League referees, VAR on TV

When Howard Webb was appointed chief refereeing officer of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December 2022, the former referee said one of his aims was to increase transparency.

The 52-year-old's plan will take a step forward when a new series, Match Officials: Mic'd Up, begins airing in the UK.

The aim is to show how the employees of the organisation in charge of Premier League refereeing reach some of their frequently debated decisions, particularly when Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews take place.

There have been plenty of controversial calls already in 2023/24 and fans will be eager to know exactly how some of them came about. Exactly which incidents will be discussed in depth remain to be seen, although there will be different moments dissected in each episode.

The Sporting News explains what you need to know about the programme, when it will be screening and how to watch it.

 Premier League referees 2023/24

In a format that was experimented with at the end of the 2022/23 season, Webb will chat with former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen about some of the decisions made in the Premier League.

Fans will also be able to hear discussions between referees and their officiating teams, including the VAR, in an attempt to explain the thinking behind decisions.

Webb will initially share the audio monthly. "We are looking at whatever way we can to pull that curtain back, to show the world the processes that go into making decisions, the rationale for decisions being taken," he said before he took the role.

"People might not always agree with the final outcome but if they understand how we have got there, there is a much greater level of acceptance."

VAR was adopted in the Premier League for the