FORMER Saints man Matt Le Tissier has accused referees of 'arrogance' and insisted that ex-professional footballers should be involved with VAR decisions.
Several controversial decisions occurred in the Premier League this weekend alone, with Newcastle United's 1-0 win against Arsenal being particularly contentious.
Speaking to bettingsites.co.uk, Le Tissier explained what he believes can be done to improve decision-making amongst referees.
He said: "When it came in, people were expecting not to have these kind of debates.
"I remember one of the arguments when it was being mooted, was that people were saying, ‘We’ll have nothing to argue about in the pub afterwards’.
"Well, that has not turned out to be the case whatsoever. I have been a little bit disappointed with the standard of the decisions being made if I am honest.
"As I said even before VAR came in, I felt like it needed an ex-professional footballer in the room with the referees at the same time to advise. Not to make the decisions but to give them advice.
"I still believe after watching it for a few years now that it is a really good idea to do that.
"The referees do not want to do that because I feel like there is an arrogance amongst referees that they are the be-all and end-all.
"They know everything and that players can’t add anything to it. That is a terrible attitude."
Southampton are not having to deal with VAR in the Championship this season.
They could, though, be subject to it if they draw a Premier League team away in the FA Cup or if they make the Championship play-offs at the end of the campaign.
The 55-year-old Saints legend also feels that fans in the stadium are not being included in the process enough when it comes to VAR.
Le Tissier said that audio being played out to the supporters or even the process being shown on the big screen at the stadium would be beneficial to everybody involved.
He added: "It would be much better if we were to hear the communication between the referee and the VAR, that would allay a lot of problems within the crowd because they are just sitting there frustrated as they do not know what is going on.
"They do not know what they are checking for. If it was to be seen on the big screen, as they go through the process, then everybody can see and there is accountability and transparency there.
"They are two really important things. We are not quite getting that at the moment."
Le Tissier also made a comment on referees officiating in leagues overseas.
It comes as established Premier League referee Michael Oliver drew controversy recently for officiating a match between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The former England international does not think that that should be allowed to happen.
He added: "I’ve always actually said right from the start that there would be a conflict of interest. Personally, no I wouldn’t (allow them to work for foreign leagues).
"They pay them well enough already, they shouldn’t have to go and freelance in other countries."