Pundits like Gary Neville and Alan Shearer recently received a lesson on the laws of football from refereeing chiefs. The Premier League called a conference call with over 70 pundits from broadcasters such as Sky Sports, TNT Sport, and the BBC, with PGMOL boss Howard Webb and Premier League’s director of operations Tony Scholes leading the briefing. The purpose of the briefing was to ensure that broadcasters are fully informed about how VAR will operate this season, following frustrations over errors made during commentaries last season.
During the conference call, Howard Webb provided reminders about the laws of the game, interpretations by referees, and changes to how VAR will be used. Tony Scholes also gave an update on various off-field issues, including the football calendar. This briefing was the first of its kind held specifically for pundits, highlighting the Premier League’s commitment to transparency and providing accurate information to those involved in the game.
Webb’s briefing included a six-point VAR plan aimed at improving the system. The plan focuses on improving clarity for the threshold of VAR intervention, reducing delays, improving the fan experience, enhancing VAR training and consistency, being more transparent, and educating and communicating with fans. The Premier League has promised quicker decisions, fewer interventions from VAR, and more support for the on-field referee’s judgment. Webb has also committed to providing fans with more big-screen replays in stadiums and offering “near-live” explanations of VAR calls on social media platforms.
In addition to the briefing, there have been several rule changes made to the Premier League this season. These changes include allowing more substitutes to warm up on the touchline and implementing more accurate calculations for added time in matches. One significant change that will be implemented after an international break is the use of semi-automated offsides. This technology, powered by artificial intelligence, aims to minimize breaks in the game and deliver accurate offside decisions. It tracks 29 different points on the body of every player and, together with a chip in the football, produces almost instantaneous decisions. The technology visualizes these decisions with computer-generated 3D images, allowing fans to see the offense on a screen. Referees on the pitch will intervene only if the offside call is subjective and requires subjective judgment.
The introduction of semi-automated offsides aims to help referees manage games more smoothly and reduce controversy. During the World Cup in Qatar, the technology successfully reduced the average time for an offside call to 25 seconds per incident. In the future, a 3D animation will be shown to fans in the stadium and via broadcasters, providing clear and instant decisions. This animation will be available by the next stoppage in play after the decision.
Overall, the Premier League’s briefing with pundits and broadcasters highlights the league’s commitment to improving the use of VAR and ensuring that all stakeholders are fully informed about its operation. The introduction of semi-automated offsides showcases the league’s willingness to embrace new technologies to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of decision-making. These initiatives aim to provide a better football experience for fans and reduce controversies surrounding VAR.