VAR: Premier League Clubs to Vote on Scrapping Video Assistant Referees
Premier League clubs will vote on whether to scrap the use of video assistant referees (VAR) next season. The vote, triggered by Wolves, is set to take place at the annual general meeting on June 6th. While some clubs, including Liverpool, are in favor of keeping VAR, Wolves and a few unnamed clubs are in favor of scrapping it. The decision requires a two-thirds majority, meaning 14 out of the 20 clubs need to vote in favor of scrapping VAR.
The Premier League has remained supportive of VAR and has seen an increase in correct decisions from 82% prior to its introduction to 96% this season. However, there have been ongoing debates, scrutiny, complaints, and apologies surrounding the technology since its introduction in the 2019-20 season. Despite the controversies, the league has plans to introduce semi-automated offsides from the 2024-25 season.
Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town will also be present at the meeting. While Nottingham Forest has yet to comment on the vote, their previous statements suggest they may side with Wolves. It is worth noting that VAR does not operate in the Championship.
Several other Premier League clubs have not offered guidance on their stance towards VAR. However, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa have all qualified for next season’s Champions League where VAR is in operation. If VAR is removed from the Premier League, playing VAR-operated Champions League football could become more challenging for these teams. The same could be said for teams playing in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
It remains uncertain whether the vote to scrap VAR will pass. Wolves would need support from 13 other clubs within the next three weeks for the proposal to be successful. The Premier League itself opposes scrapping VAR and plans to highlight the improvements made since its introduction. Scrapping VAR would also make the Premier League an outlier, as most elite leagues, including the Champions League and World Cup, use VAR.
Ahead of the vote, there may be discussions between clubs to gauge their opinions and potential outcomes. VAR expert Dale Johnson suggests that rather than scrapping VAR, the vote may spark a discussion on how to improve the system and address concerns. The Premier League, as the organization responsible for VAR, can use this opportunity to assess its current state and make changes to improve its perception in English football.
The decision to vote on scrapping VAR comes after a season filled with controversial incidents that have led to increased criticism of refereeing standards. Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest have all issued official statements expressing their concerns about VAR and refereeing decisions. Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes has acknowledged the need for improvement in VAR and has expressed a desire to introduce video and audio of decisions being played to the crowd.
The vote has sparked controversy among fans, with many expressing their opinions online. On the BBC Sport website and app, over 65,000 users have responded to a poll regarding the future of VAR. As of now, 2,173 users voted in favor of scrapping VAR, while only 517 voted to keep it. This indicates a significant majority in favor of removing VAR from the Premier League.
The vote on scrapping VAR will have significant implications for the future of refereeing in the Premier League. While it is uncertain whether the proposal will pass, it provides an opportunity for clubs to engage in open discussions about the current state and potential improvements of VAR. The final decision will shape the way football matches are officiated in the coming seasons.