Premier League clubs have voted against scrapping video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Wolves – who were on the receiving end of several controversial VAR decisions this season – tabled a vote to abolish the system, saying it is “undermining the value of the Premier League brand”.
But at the Premier League clubs’ annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, Wolves’ proposal was knocked down.
Sky Sports News has been told the Black Country outfit were the only club to vote for VAR to be scrapped.
Wolves were understood to be adamant, even the day before the Premier League’s annual general meeting in Harrogate on Thursday, that they wanted a vote to take place, even though they anticipated a heavy defeat.
All the other 19 clubs voted for it to continue, with certain criteria for improvement.
Any change to Premier League rules requires at least 14 of the 20 clubs to vote in favour. The majority of clubs favour VAR but want improvements to be made, rather than scrapping the system entirely.
Earlier this season, Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, claimed correct decisions had increased from 82 to 96 per cent since VAR’s introduction.
He told Sky Sports: “VAR is, and remains, a very effective tool in supporting the match officials on the pitch.”
However, Scholes admitted: “We are doing too many checks, we’re taking too long in doing them as well. It’s to a degree understandable given the level of scrutiny these guys are under.”
The Premier League, its clubs and referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) acknowledged that improvements needed to be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.
Semi-automated offside technology is set to be introduced in the autumn, which top-flight sources say will reduce the length of time required for offside checks, while in-stadium announcements will be made where an on-field decision is changed following a VAR intervention.
The Premier League said the “high threshold” for intervention would also be maintained.
The Premier League also hopes to improve the fan experience of VAR by offering big screen replays of all VAR interventions where possible.
The league said it would work with PGMOL on “more robust” training for officials to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed while preserving accuracy. The league also promised “expanded communications” on VAR from its match centre and through continuing with programmes like Match Officials Mic’d Up.
The league said it will also continue to lobby the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the laws of the game, to allow live video and audio broadcast during VAR reviews.
SkySports
