06/06/2024
Premier League clubs decided this Thursday to continue using video referee (VAR) technology in the highest competition of English football after holding a vote in which improvements have also been agreed for the benefit of the game and the fans.
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Premier League clubs They affirmed to maintain the VAR in the Premier League, in a vote in which 19 of the 20 clubs that make up the first division of English football voted in favor of the continuation of video refereeing, being the Wolverhampton the only team that voted against.
As part of the discussions held at the Premier League clubs’ Annual General Meeting, it was also agreed that the PGMOL, the Premier League and the clubs must have important roles to play in improving the VAR system and its reputation. .
These improvements focused on six key areas in conversations with clubs, including maintaining a high threshold for requesting VAR intervention.and thus provide greater consistency and fewer interruptions to the flow of the game, or reduce delays in the game, mainly through the introduction of semi-automatic offside technology.
Furthermore, for the fans, an attempt will be made, when possible, to offer better repetitions on the big screens in the stadiums in all VAR interventions.
As well as increasing transparency and communication around VAR, including communications between the ‘Premier League Match Center’ and the live referee.
These are the six key areas to improve:
1) Maintain a high threshold for VAR intervention to provide greater consistency and fewer interruptions to the flow of the game.
2) Reduce delays in play, primarily by introducing semi-automatic offside technology (SAOT) and maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention.
3) Improve the fan experience by reducing delays, in-stadium referee announcements following a post-VAR decision change and, where possible, an improved offer of large screen replays to include all referee interventions. VAR.
4) Work with PGMOL on implementing more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on process speed while preserving accuracy.
5) Increase transparency and communication around VAR, including expanded communications from the Premier League Match Center and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up.
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6) The implementation of a VAR communication campaign for fans and interested parties, which will seek to further clarify the role of VAR in the game to participants and fans.
