The Premier League's 20 clubs are set to deliberate on a proposal to eliminate the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology for refereeing decisions. Wolverhampton has put forward a resolution to prompt a vote at the league’s annual general meeting on June 6. If at least 14 of the 20 clubs vote in favor, VAR could be removed.
Wolves expressed concerns that VAR has resulted in unintended negative consequences, damaging the relationship between fans and football and undermining the Premier League brand. The club emphasized that the resolution was submitted after careful consideration and with respect for all stakeholders involved.
After five years of VAR implementation, Wolves called for a constructive and critical debate on the technology's future. They proposed removing VAR from the 2024/25 season onwards, citing that the trade-off for a slight increase in accuracy is not aligned with the essence of the game.
The Premier League confirmed that the future of VAR will be discussed at the AGM, acknowledging the existing concerns and issues surrounding its use. The league believes that scrapping VAR could lead to more incorrect decisions, highlighting an increase in correct decisions from 82% to 96% since VAR's introduction.
Former England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney criticized VAR, stating that it diminishes the enjoyment of the game and leads to prolonged decision-making processes. Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon also expressed frustration with VAR after a penalty appeal was dismissed in a recent match.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe supported the idea of scrapping VAR, advocating for referees to have more authority in decision-making. He suggested retaining VAR for offside calls but granting referees greater autonomy.
The Premier League remains committed to enhancing VAR for the benefit of the game and fans, despite the ongoing debate surrounding its effectiveness. The discussion on VAR's future reflects the league's dedication to improving the refereeing system while addressing the concerns raised by clubs and players.
As the debate unfolds, the football community awaits the outcome of the upcoming vote and the potential implications for the use of VAR in Premier League matches.
