Football’s law-makers have suggested that the Premier League are not using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system correctly by reiterating that it should only be used to correct “clear and obvious” errors, and should not be relied upon to try and pinpoint marginal offside calls that require lengthy stoppages to identify.

The weekend’s Premier League action was blighted by a number of controversial and time-sapping VAR reviews, which resulted in five goals being ruled out across the 10 games staged over Saturday and Sunday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United all found themselves on the end of VAR decisions that left players, managers and fans calling for immediate change to the way the Premier League is using VAR, but the International Football Association Board (Ifab) who govern the sport’s regulations have insisted there will be no changes to the system for the foreseeable future.

Instead, they will contact those competitions who rely on the use of VAR to reissue guidelines that have already been made clear in something akin to a reminder rather than an update, though this is unlikely to come before the next Ifab annual general meeting which takes place at the end of February.

But the body did suggest that the way the Premier League is currently using VAR for offsides – which has seen goals ruled out for armpits or toes being ruled beyond the last defender – is not what the system was brought in to achieve.

FIFA world rankings Show all 11 1 /11 FIFA world rankings FIFA world rankings Fifa world rankings top ten FILE - This Sept. 25, 2015 file photo shows the FIFA logo outside FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA has told soccer's biggest agents who are resisting limits to their cut of deals that there is a necessity to "curb the excesses" of the $7 billion annual transfer market. Agent earnings from transfers would be capped at a maximum 10% of fees when acting for the selling club under changes set to be introduced from 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file) Michael Probst AP FIFA world rankings 1. Belgium Belgium players pose before the Euro 2020 group I qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Cyprus at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Francisco Seco AP FIFA world rankings 2. France Antoine GRIEZMANN of France celebrates putting his side 2-0 ahead during the Euro 2020 Group H qualifying match between Albania and France at the Arena Kombetare on November 17, 2019 in Tirana, Albania. (Photo by Dave Winter/Icon Sport via Getty Images) Dave Winter Icon Sport via Getty Images FIFA world rankings 3. Brazil ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 19: Danilo da Silva of Brazil (C) celebrating his goal with his teammates during the match between Brazil and Korea Republic on November 19, 2019 at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images) Eurasia Sport Images Getty Images FIFA world rankings 4. England epa08004665 England players line up for the UEFA EURO 2020 group A qualifying soccer match between Kosovo and England in Pristina, Kosovo, 17 November 2019. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI GEORGI LICOVSKI EPA FIFA world rankings 5. Uruguay Soccer Football - International Friendly - Argentina v Uruguay - Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, Israel - November 18, 2019 Uruguay players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun RONEN ZVULUN REUTERS FIFA world rankings 6. Croatia From top (L-R) Croatia's defender Duje Caleta Car, Croatia's forward Bruno Petkovic, Croatia's defender Dino Peric, Croatia's forward Ante Rebic, Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, Croatia's forward Ivan Perisic, Croatia's defender Borna Barisic, Croatia's midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, Croatia's defender Tin Jedvaj, Croatia's midfielder Nikola Vlasic, Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric pose prior the Euro 2020 Group E football qualification match between Croatia and Slovakia at the Rujevica Stadium in Rijeka, Croatia on November 16, 2019. (Photo by Denis LOVROVIC / AFP) (Photo by DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images) DENIS LOVROVIC AFP via Getty Images FIFA world rankings 7. Portugal LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG - NOVEMBER 17: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal looks on during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Luxembourg and Portugal on November 17, 2019 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) TF-Images Getty Images FIFA world rankings 8. Spain MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 18: Gerard Moreno of Spain celebrates his team's third goal with team mates during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier between Spain and Romania on November 18, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) TF-Images Getty Images FIFA world rankings 9. Argentina epa08006952 Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the 2-2 equalizer from the penalty spot during the International Friendly soccer match between Argentina and Uruguay at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel, 18 November 2019. EPA/ATEF SAFADI ATEF SAFADI EPA FIFA world rankings 10. Colombia CORRECTS NAME OF COLOMBIAN PLAYER AT RIGHT - Colombia forward Alfredo Morelos, right, hugs goalkeeper David Ospina after an international friendly soccer match against Peru, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Lynne Sladky AP

"Clear and obvious still remains - it's an important principle. There should not be a lot of time spent to find something marginal," Lukas Brud, Ifab’s general secretary, told the Press Association.

"If something is not clear on the first sight, then it's not obvious and it shouldn't be considered. Looking at one camera angle is one thing but looking at 15, trying to find something that was potentially not even there, this was not the idea of the VAR principle. It should be clear and obvious."

The reminder of how VAR should be used will leave many baffled as to why the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), who are responsible for the application of VAR in the Premier League, are not using the review system correctly, given the numerous replays that are being viewed for the tightest of decisions.

Former England striker Gary Lineker has voiced his frustration with the use of VAR, writing on Twitter in the wake of the weekend’s farce: “Once again, the technology can’t prove tight decisions. Two replays is the maximum you need to see if the referee’s assistants have badly erred. Get rid of the silly lines and dots. If it’s that tight go with on-field decision.”

Wolves captain Conor Coady spoke out after his side were denied an equaliser just before half-time at runaway leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Neto's goal was ruled out because Spanish wing-back Jonny was ruled to be offside in the build-up.

"It's horrible for me, it's tough to take," Coady told the BBC.

"A lot of people are going to tell me that they have come to the right decision and they might have. But what is it, an armpit that's offside, or a toe, or something like that?"

Sheffield United were denied a goal against Manchester City - the fifth time this season VAR has ruled out a goal they have scored.

Blades manager Chris Wilder said: "Yet again we had another goal disallowed by VAR. That's about eight or nine over the weekend, this is not a situation helping the game."