Premier League Clubs Unlikely to Approve Wolves’ Proposal to Scrap VAR
Premier League clubs are expected to reject Wolverhampton Wanderers’ proposal to eliminate the use of the video assistant referee (VAR) at an upcoming annual general meeting. The club submitted a resolution in May to trigger a vote on retaining VAR, but they are unlikely to secure the necessary 14 votes for their proposal to be accepted. While teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham support the use of VAR, they are demanding improvements to the system.
Despite Wolves’ impending defeat, most clubs agree that the current state of VAR requires a major overhaul. Howard Webb, head of the refereeing body PGMOL, has confirmed that changes to VAR are being considered. One potential change is the introduction of in-game VAR announcements by referees, which the Premier League plans to trial next season. FIFA has already tested this concept in some of its competitions and received positive feedback.
The Premier League views the use of in-game VAR announcements as a step towards greater transparency. Although the match referee will only confirm decisions after they have been made, not involving discussions with the VAR, it is seen as progress. The league also aims to implement semi-automated offsides, starting in the autumn after the 2024-25 season has begun, to expedite decisions. However, recent instances like the time taken to award Olympiakos’ winning goal in the UEFA Conference League highlight that not all decisions are reached quickly with VAR.
Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters Association, revealed that the majority of their members now oppose VAR. He called for a national debate on its use and urged the Premier League to be open to discussion. Clarke emphasized that most fans consider the negative impact on the match experience too high a price to pay for a slight increase in accurate decisions. He commended Wolves for initiating this debate and stressed the importance of its continuation.
Financial Rules and Manchester City’s Legal Battle
At the upcoming meeting, there is unlikely to be a vote on new financial rules linking squad costs to broadcast income received by the league’s lowest clubs. While there was hope for a concrete proposal to be presented, the tight timeline made it unlikely. Manchester City’s legal battle against the Premier League, challenging the organization’s commercial rules, could have significant implications for financial regulations. An arbitration hearing on the legality of associated party transaction rules has been scheduled for 10-21 June.
The current Profit and Sustainability Rules are set to remain in force next season. Instead of implementing new regulations this summer, the Premier League plans to evaluate them during the 2024-25 campaign, addressing any potential issues with the Professional Footballers Association. The league aims to ensure that the regulations are economically and legally sound before adopting them.
The status of discussions with the Football League regarding funding, paused earlier this year by the Premier League, remains uncertain due to these developments. Additionally, the introduction of a football regulator through the Football Governance Bill, initially anticipated for this year, will need to be revisited following the General Election.
In conclusion, while Wolves’ proposal to eliminate VAR is likely to be rejected, there is a consensus among Premier League clubs that improvements are needed. The introduction of in-game VAR announcements and the potential implementation of semi-automated offsides are measures aimed at enhancing transparency and expediting decisions. The majority of football supporters now oppose VAR, prompting calls for a national debate on its use. Financial regulations and Manchester City’s legal battle continue to have implications for the Premier League’s future policies and discussions with other football organizations.