Premier League clubs are demanding a huge improvement in VAR and refereeing standards.
Despite an overwhelming 19-1 vote to keep VAR for next season, the top flight clubs have raised major concerns - and warned they must get better. They are calling for more regular and better training for referees together with set teams of VAR officials to encourage better understanding between officials as well as a drastic cut in delays and better messaging for fans in stadiums.
Clubs also want more outside voices within the Professional Game Match Officials Limited set-up to stop danger of “jobs for the boys” culture which leaves ex-referees judging referees. It comes on the back of a nightmare season for PGMOL chief Howard Webb who has been brought in to improve the set-up - but clubs are impatient for results.
That is also echoed by fed-up fans who are growing increasingly frustrated with VAR and officials with Wolves’ proposal to scrap video refs gaining a lot of backing from match-going supporters. One club executive told Mirror Sport: “There does seem to be a realisation from the PGMOL that major improvements are needed - and people must be questioned and listened to rather than all the refs telling each other that it’s going well.”
Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Association, said: “Support for VAR has collapsed since its introduction into English football - it's clear that in its current form it has made the match a less enjoyable experience.
“So much so that more than two-thirds of supporters now say they are against it. There's a growing feeling from fans that the increase in decision-making accuracy is not a price worth paying for the huge impact VAR has had on the matchgoing experience.
“Enormous changes to the current system are required to improve things, particularly for supporters in stadiums. We cannot carry on like this.”
The six point plan put forward at the Premier League AGM was:
1) Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and less interruptions to the flow of the game
2) Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention
3) Improving fan experience through a reduction in the delays, in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and where possible, an enhanced offering of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions
4) Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy
5) Increasing transparency and communication around VAR – including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up
6) The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will seek to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.
There is also a belief from the PGMOL that semi-automated offsides will massively help and make decisions quicker and more scientific. It will also take time for Webb to really drive through changes and improvements while PGMOL chiefs believe they are making progress and showpiece games like the FA Cup final were big examples of good use of VAR and it passing off without controversy.
But despite Wolves seeing their proposals voted down, they issued a club statement which said: “While we are disappointed with the outcome of the vote on the future of VAR at today’s Annual General Meeting, we acknowledge and accept the decision made by our fellow clubs and we are reassured that the Premier League is taking the concerns of clubs and supporters seriously.
“We welcome the commitment to improve VAR, particularly in areas that address delays, consistency, and fan experience. While we still believe that Premier League football would be superior for supporters, players, coaches and viewers without VAR, we think that these improvements are crucial for the integrity of the game and for enhancing the overall matchday experience for our supporters.
“Wolves remain committed to working closely with the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure that VAR continues to evolve and better serve the interests of football. We appreciate the efforts being made to address the issues that we have highlighted in our resolution and look forward to seeing whether the changes implemented this summer can reverse the decline in matchday experience for our fans, and respect for our officials.”
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