Wolverhampton Wanderers’ recent bid to have VAR removed from the Premier League has faced opposition from the majority of clubs. The proposal to abolish VAR starting from the 2024/25 season would require the approval of fourteen clubs, but sources indicate that there is lack of support for this motion. The clubs that regularly compete in European competitions, where VAR is in use, are unlikely to support the removal of the technology from the Premier League. Additionally, teams lower in the table feel that eliminating VAR at this stage would not be beneficial.
While there have been concerns about the implementation of VAR and the errors associated with it, many clubs believe that the system helps in correcting referee mistakes and ensures fair play. Despite the 31 VAR errors reported by the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel last season, there were 107 refereeing mistakes that were rectified. The prevailing sentiment is that reverting back to a time without VAR would not be acceptable at this point, given its role in improving decision-making accuracy.
There have been criticisms about the length of time taken for VAR checks and the number of checks being conducted. However, the Premier League remains committed to VAR and is making efforts to enhance the technology and its processes. The introduction of a new communications role related to VAR at Stockley Park shows the league’s dedication to improving the system. Despite the 38 VAR errors recorded in the 2022-23 season, there has been a 21% decrease in mistakes compared to the previous year.
One positive development from the AGM is the approval for referees to explain VAR overturn decisions directly to the crowd. This transparency aims to address concerns about subjective decisions being made without clarity. While this change is a step in the right direction, it may not fully address the discontent among fans who feel that VAR has detracted more from the game than it has added.
In addition to discussions about VAR, the AGM also covered the introduction of semiautomated offside technology (SAOT) for next season. SAOT is expected to speed up offside decisions by 31 seconds on average by removing the human element from the process. However, the new offside technology may lead to more marginal decisions due to the lack of a built-in tolerance level, which could pose challenges in situations with multiple players in close proximity.
Overall, the debate surrounding VAR in the Premier League reflects the ongoing efforts to balance technological advancements with the integrity and spirit of the game. While there are valid concerns about the implementation and impact of VAR, it remains a work in progress with continuous efforts to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency.