VAR: Premier League Promises Improvements for the Upcoming Season
The 2023-24 Premier League season came to a close with Wolves calling for the scrapping of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) due to concerns about the standard of refereeing and the impact of technology on football. Despite losing the vote 19-1, the Premier League has pledged to enhance VAR for the upcoming season.
One of the key changes involves the introduction of “near-live” explanations of VAR decisions on the social media platform X. The Premier League Match Centre account will provide these explanations, aiming to improve the fan experience and provide clarity around VAR decisions. While broadcasting in-game discussions between officials has been ruled out as “too chaotic” by the sport’s lawmakers Ifab, trials of referees announcing decisions to the crowd, as seen in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, are ongoing.
To further enhance the fan experience, the Premier League plans to increase the number of replays shown on the big screens and make more use of social media. There are also potential trials for in-game announcements, but the league wants to avoid additional pressure on referees.
In terms of VAR usage, the Premier League has implemented a “six-point plan” that includes introducing a “referee’s call” approach similar to cricket, where VAR acts as a “safety net.” The league aims to redefine when VAR should intervene and reaffirm a high standard for intervention, excluding referee’s subjective “judgment calls.”
The Premier League has cited its own figures to support the effectiveness of VAR, claiming a 96% rate of correct decisions in matches compared to 82% before VAR’s introduction. Last season, there were only five incorrect VAR interventions compared to 105 correct calls. Referees and VAR officials were also found to take away only one in every 25 goals.
While acknowledging that VAR is not perfect, the Premier League believes that four out of five fans want to keep VAR based on an independent study. However, the league also recognizes the need for improvement to address the concerns of the one in five fans who want to see VAR removed.
The Premier League acknowledges that VAR comes with delays and a poor supporter experience. However, the league aims to minimize these issues by reducing delays and improving the fan experience as much as possible.
In terms of decision speed, the average delay for a single VAR check in the 2023-24 season was 64 seconds, longer than the 40-second average in the previous season. The cautious approach of officials following the Luis Diaz incident at Liverpool contributed to the longer delays. The Premier League acknowledges that while correct decisions are important, the time taken to reach those decisions can frustrate fans.
One area that could improve speed and accuracy is semi-automated offside technology (SAOT). While not available at the start of the new season, SAOT is expected to be introduced in October. SAOT was used at the 2022 men’s World Cup and the men’s Euros this summer, with the anticipation that it could reduce the length of a VAR check for offside by 31 seconds. The system eliminates the need for officials to draw offside lines on monitors, saving time and increasing accuracy.
Looking back at the previous season, there were several controversies surrounding VAR. Wolves manager Gary O’Neil criticized a VAR offside decision, resulting in a ban. Liverpool had a goal incorrectly ruled offside due to significant human error, leading to an apology and review. Nottingham Forest and their manager Nuno faced charges after being denied three penalties, with VAR Stuart Attwell accused of bias. Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, and Forest all issued official statements criticizing refereeing standards and VAR.
Overall, the Premier League is committed to improving VAR and addressing the concerns of fans and clubs. By implementing changes such as near-live explanations on social media, a referee’s call approach, and the introduction of SAOT, the league aims to enhance the fan experience, reduce delays, and increase the accuracy of VAR decisions. While VAR may never be perfect, the Premier League is dedicated to minimizing its flaws and providing a more enjoyable football experience for all.