Premier League clubs make emphatic decision on VAR with big changes on the way
Changes are coming from next season.
Premier League clubs have voted to keep VAR in place next season, but several changes are set to set to be rolled out to address concerns over the technology.
The vote, held at the league’s annual general meeting on Thursday, was initially proposed by Wolves last month and comes after a season overshadowed, at points, by a number of controversies.
A two-thirds (14-6) majority was required to pass to pass the motion, but it is understood that a number of clubs – including Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham – preferred to look at overhauling the current system rather than removing it altogether.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Premier League and referees’ body PGMOL confirmed a video refereeing ‘improvement plan’ and will now look at implementing changes to improve to swiftness of decisions and the impact on match-going fans inside the stadium.
A statement read: ‘Premier League clubs today voted in favour of continuing to operate VAR in the Premier League.
‘While VAR produces more accurate decision making, it was agreed that improvement should be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.’
Here’s what we know so far…
What changes have been proposed?
Although the Premier League will persist with VAR, several clubs are demanding changes to try and address concerns.
One key change already set in stone will be the implementation of semi-automated offside calls which was voted in by clubs in April earlier this year. The technology was first used at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is expected to cut decision-making by over 30 seconds.
Referees could well be mic’d up and use in-stadium announcements to explain their decisions to fans inside the ground, while the ‘clear and obvious’ threshold before an intervention will be strengthened.
Another potential improvement not entirely related to VAR is the possibly of looking to appoint elite foreign referees to matches, a suggestion mooted by several top clubs but not among the initial suggestions from the Premier League.
Premier League VAR statement in full
As part of ongoing work to improve VAR, six key areas were focused on as part of discussions with clubs:
1) Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and less interruptions to the flow of the game.
2) Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.
3) Improving fan experience through a reduction in the delays, in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and where possible, an enhanced offering of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.
4) Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.
5) Increasing transparency and communication around VAR – including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as “Match Officials Mic’d Up”.
6) The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will seek to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.
It was confirmed in April that Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be introduced in the autumn of 2024.
The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.
Why did Wolves want to scrap VAR?
In their initial statement proposing its scrapping, Wolves argued that ‘the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game’.
A large part of the frustration with VAR has been down to its impact on the experience for fans inside the stadium, in particular the impact on goal celebrations, the diminished accountability of on-field officials and frustration from fans due to lengthy checks.
Data released by the Premier League has confirmed the latter point, revealing that checks last season lasted, on average, 64 seconds in the 2023‑24 season, a more than 50 per cent increase from 40 seconds in 2022-23.
Several high-profile errors from VAR officials also raised concerns that even with the delays, huge errors in key moments were not being altogether avoided.
The incorrect decision to rule out Luis Diaz’s goal versus Tottenham was the cause of much scrutiny, while, later in the season, Nottingham Forest sensationally accused, accusing the VAR official of bias after three penalties were not awarded in their loss to Everton.
Why did clubs vote to keep it?
Despite complaints from several clubs, ultimately the technology is set to remain in place for next season at least.
The Premier League pointed to the fact that, without VAR, there would be around 100 more incorrect decisions made throughout the season.
In addition, there is said to have been reticence from many of the top clubs to remove the technology, in part because it would still be used in major European club competitions.
Some clubs lower town the table also had reservations about scrapping VAR having made a significant financial outlay to upgrade their stadium facilities and install the technology in the first place.
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