The Premier League is set to vote on whether to eliminate the use of video assistant referees (VAR) starting next season.
During their annual general meeting on June 6th, all 20 member clubs will cast their votes.
This decision came about after Wolves formally presented a resolution to the Premier League on Wednesday, expressing their dissatisfaction with VAR. They’re not alone in their discontent, as the league has seen ongoing debates, scrutiny, complaints, and apologies throughout its five-year tenure since VAR’s inception in the 2019-20 season.
Despite this, the Premier League continues to stand by VAR, with member clubs previously voting in April to implement semi-automated offsides beginning in the 2024-25 season.
According to sources from BBC Sport, Liverpool, along with three other undisclosed clubs, are opposed to the idea of scrapping VAR.
The league asserts that VAR has significantly increased the accuracy of decisions, rising from 82% before its implementation to 96% this season.
With differing opinions on VAR, the question remains: who else supports or opposes it, and what steps will be taken next?
Premier League Clubs Decide: Should VAR Stay or Go?
Member clubs will decide whether to abolish VAR altogether, potentially reverting to officiating standards from before the 2019-20 season when VAR was first introduced. This decision could also impact the implementation of semi-automated offsides, a measure previously approved by Premier League clubs to enhance decision-making.
Vote Count: How Much Support is Needed for Change?
According to Premier League regulations, any alteration to the rules requires a two-thirds majority vote. This means that at least 14 out of the 20 clubs must vote in favor of eliminating VAR for the change to take effect.
Division of Opinion: Who Stands Where?
In Favor of Scrapping VAR
- Wolves are the sole club to publicly announce their support for eliminating VAR.
- Nottingham Forest, while refraining from explicit commentary, might align with Wolves based on their recent statements regarding VAR.
- Leicester City and Ipswich Town, both newly promoted to the Premier League, have not disclosed their stance on the issue. However, it’s worth noting that VAR isn’t utilized in the Championship.
Support for Retaining VAR
- Liverpool, despite previously calling for a review of VAR, are reportedly in favor of maintaining it.
- Three other unnamed Premier League clubs expressed their opposition to scrapping VAR. One of them suggested that while there is widespread support for VAR, improvements in its implementation are desired.
Undisclosed Position
- Several clubs contacted by BBC Sport opted not to provide guidance on their stance.
Considerations for Champions League Contenders:
- Clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, which have secured Champions League berths for the next season, may have vested interests in retaining VAR, given its operation in the tournament.
- Similarly, clubs vying for Europa League and Europa Conference League spots, including Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham, and Chelsea, could find VAR’s presence influential in European competitions. However, these spots will be determined on the final day of the Premier League season.
Assessing the Odds: Will the VAR Vote Succeed?
The likelihood of the VAR vote passing remains uncertain, but current indications suggest it’s improbable.
Wolves would require backing from 13 additional clubs within the next three weeks to successfully eliminate VAR.
Several factors contribute to this improbability:
Firstly, attaining a two-thirds majority is challenging, especially considering Wolves have not yet secured public support from other clubs.
Secondly, the Premier League itself opposes the abolition of VAR and intends to showcase the improvements made since its introduction in 2019. According to the league’s data, the accuracy of decisions in matches has risen from 82% pre-VAR to 96% presently. They assert that this percentage will further improve with the implementation of semi-automated offsides next season.
Lastly, eliminating VAR would position the Premier League as an outlier, as only Sweden’s top league among UEFA’s top 30 does not utilize VAR. Notably, major European and international tournaments such as the Champions League, European Championships, and World Cup rely on VAR, further emphasizing its widespread adoption.
What Comes Next in the VAR Debate?
Anticipation of Pre-Vote Dynamics:
Clubs are unlikely to wait until the official vote on June 6th to finalize their decisions. Prior to the vote, there may be discussions among clubs to gauge sentiments and potential voting outcomes.
Prospects of Further Dialogue:
Dale Johnson, ESPN editor and VAR expert, suggested that the vote might stimulate additional conversations on enhancing the VAR system rather than scrapping it altogether.
“I really don’t see it [VAR being scrapped]. You need 14 votes to get it through, the frustration has got a lot of ground but it is hard to see the clubs who compete in European football on a regular basis voting against it, and I know of a couple of clubs outside that who don’t support it [the vote].”
“What this does provide is the chance of a real and honest discussion of what VAR is in the Premier League, what the clubs want it to be and where it goes.”
“The PGMOL [referees’ body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited] gets a lot of criticism, but it is the Premier League as an organisation who decides how it wants VAR to work, the length of intervention. At this meeting next month, the clubs can discuss where VAR is right now, maybe there will be changes to improve the perception in English football.”
The Path to the Vote: Key Milestones and Criticisms
The journey leading up to the pivotal ‘vote’ moment has been marked by a series of significant events and critiques from various stakeholders.
Numerous articles on the BBC Sport website delve into this journey, offering insights into the most contentious VAR incidents of the season.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest have all officially voiced criticisms of refereeing standards and the performance of VAR throughout the season.
In February, Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes publicly acknowledged the protracted nature of VAR decisions and the negative impact on the in-stadium experience for fans.
“It’s nowhere near good enough,” Scholes remarked. “It affects supporters’ enjoyment of the game, and we know it needs to change.”
While the Premier League aims to experiment with innovations such as video and audio playback of decisions for the crowd, current regulations set by FIFA and IFAB prohibit such practices. Scholes, however, remains optimistic about future possibilities.
Wolves’ decision to call for a vote was fueled by an extensive statement expressing concerns and dissatisfaction with the current state of VAR. This statement serves as a catalyst for broader discussions and potential reforms within the Premier League.
Fan Voices: Diverse Opinions on VAR
Fan opinions on the matter are predictably divided, sparking controversy.
Wednesday’s article announcing the vote garnered over 3,500 comments from the BBC Sport audience. Additionally, on the BBC Sport website and app, more than 65,000 users have engaged with one of four available options.
Furthermore, on a separate post on the BBC Sport football news live page, users were polled on whether they preferred removing VAR or retaining it beyond the current season.
As of Thursday afternoon, the tally showed 2,173 votes in favor of scrapping VAR, while only 517 favored keeping it. This substantial margin in favor of removing VAR, exceeding four-to-one, reflects a clear sentiment among fans regarding the contentious technology.
