Premier League clubs will vote at their annual general meeting next month on a proposal to eradicate the video assisted referee (VAR) system beginning next season. VAR has been used in the English Premier League since 2019, helping to improve decision-making while also generating ongoing controversy.
According to Premier League sources, they were certain they had enough votes to stop the motion and that they were going to oppose of it. They will refer to figures indicating that accurate decisions have increased from 82% to 96% since the implementation of VAR, and they will urge teams to focus on innovations that will speed up decision-making. Such as semi-automated calls on offsides that are being implemented.
Regardless, the vote prompted by Wolves was seismic. The Molineux club has broken ranks in a move they feel would get all the support from fans. The request was made “after careful consideration and with the utmost respect for the Premier League, (the referees), and our fellow competitors,” according to a statement from the club.
A Premier League spokesperson responded to the statement by saying, “The Premier League can confirm it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at the annual general meeting next month”.
Insiders in the Premier League firmly believe that taking away VAR would lead to more wrong rulings. They see improvements in communication within stadiums and semi-automated decision making as the best way for the future.
Early indications suggest that clubs would support the Premier League while using the vote to advocate for much-needed adjustments to what they regard as a dysfunctional system. Clubs will advocate for increased investment in VAR systems, particularly to improve decision making.
Walking away from VAR right now seems counterproductive. However, Wolves have mentioned VAR’s negative impact on goal celebrations, frustration inside stadiums due to a lack of input over delayed rulings, and a hostile atmosphere with chants against VAR and the league as reasons for their call.
They also believe that VAR has gone beyond its primary goal of correcting noticeable errors and has reduced on-field officials’ accountability due to its’safety net’ aspect. Most importantly, they emphasise that the possibility of human error still exists, and that VAR has fueled ‘nonsensical claims of corruption’.
Sweden became the first country to reject VAR last month, following an outrage from supporters. Wolves are hoping supporters would come together to stand behind their cause and create irresistible momentum ahead of the Harrogate meeting.
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