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Premier League needs to introduce video replays, according to survey

The time is right for the Premier League to start using video replays to help referees, according to over 70 percent of people in a survey.

Conducted by Usurv for Press Association Sport, 73 percent of the 1000 participants said they support the use of footage to ensure the right decisions are made.

Officials have been widely criticised after a series of errors this season, with former referees' chief Keith Hackett labelling standards after Christmas as "disastrous."

The performances of referees have come to the fore once again following Chelsea's match with Burnley at the weekend, with Martin Atkinson electing not to send off Ashley Barnes for a heavy challenge on Nemanja Matic.

Matic was subsequently dismissed after bundling Barnes to the ground in the aftermath, although he had his three-match suspension reduced to two games on Tuesday.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho called it an "end of career tackle" and Atkinson will now not take charge of a game at the weekend.

It is the latest in a long line of decisions which may have been changed had the official been able to see replays after the incident.

Those 60 and over were more likely to support the use of video replays, with 79 percent saying yes, while the 50-59-year-olds were more dubious, with only 68 percent keen.

Those in Yorkshire and Humber would like a change, with 78 percent wanting replays to be introduced, while Londoners were more sceptical, with 65 percent in favour of their introduction.