Premier League to Retain VAR for Enhanced Game Experience

On Thursday, Premier League clubs voted to continue using the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR) while agreeing that improvements are needed for the benefit of the game and supporters.

At the Annual General Meeting, clubs acknowledged that while VAR enhances decision-making accuracy, PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), the Premier League, and clubs all have crucial roles in improving the system and its reputation.

“While VAR produces more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvements should be made for the benefit of the game and supporters,” a Premier League statement on Thursday read.

Six key areas were identified for ongoing VAR improvements, including: 

1. Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to ensure consistency and fewer game interruptions.

2. Reducing delays through semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and upholding the high threshold for intervention.

3. Enhancing the fan experience by minimizing delays, providing in-stadium announcements from referees after VAR decisions, and showing enhanced big-screen replays of all VAR interventions where possible.

4. Collaborating with PGMOL to implement more robust VAR training to improve consistency, with an emphasis on speed while preserving accuracy.

5. Increasing transparency and communication around VAR, including expanded communications from the Premier League Match Centre and broadcast programming such as “Match Officials Mic’d Up.”

6. Launching a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign to clarify VAR’s role in the game for participants and supporters.

The Premier League confirmed that Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) will be introduced in the autumn of 2024. This technology will provide quicker and more consistent placement of the virtual offside line based on optical player tracking and produce high-quality broadcast graphics to enhance the in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters.

The statement also noted that the Premier League and PGMOL will continue to lobby the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to allow greater flexibility in the Laws of the Game, permitting live video and audio broadcasts during VAR reviews.