Premier League clubs voted today to continue using VAR, agreeing on necessary improvements for the benefit of the game and its supporters.
During the Annual General Meeting, it was emphasized that the Premier League, PGMOL, and clubs must collaborate to enhance the system and its reputation.
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Key focus areas for improvement include:
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.
According to reports the semi-Automated Offside Technology will also be introduced in autumn 2024, offering quicker and more consistent virtual offside lines and high-quality broadcast graphics for an improved experience.
The Premier League and PGMOL promise to continue lobbying IFAB for greater flexibility in the Laws of the Game to allow live video and audio broadcasts during VAR reviews.
