Real's Solari calls for clarity on VAR

MADRID, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari has called for more clarity and explanations for decisions taken by Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in Spain following a number of incidents since the system's introduction this season.

The implementation of VAR in La Liga has caused controversy on occasion, with decisions questioned by coaches throughout the league, including Solari.

At the weekend, Real's arch-rivals Barcelona were beneficiaries of a VAR decision that ruled forward Luis Suarez had not fouled the Leganes goalkeeper when he made it 2-1, despite replays appearing to show otherwise.

"It's a system that all of football is delighted to have received but now we're all a bit confused by it," Solari told a news conference.

"We all want it to be applied and applied well – the less we talk about VAR and referees, the better. What is confusing is the discretion in its application. It's the first year of it, and we hope that it can all improve and become more clear.

"What we want is clarity and to understand it, nothing more. We were all delighted for the introduction of VAR and now there's confusion. It needs to be perfected and improved."

Real face Girona in Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg with a number of players set to miss out through injury, including forward Gareth Bale and midfielder Toni Kroos.

Doubts also remain over the futures of defender Marcelo and midfielder Isco after rumoured rifts with the Argentine coach.

"What happens behind closed doors stays there. If I talk to players, that's where it stays, nothing more," Solari said.

"We have internal competition and it's an essential part of football, that everyone feels that they have the chance to play or lose their spot in the team, this makes that competition stronger."