Premier League Clubs Consider Ending VAR
The twenty clubs comprising the Premier League will vote at the annual general meeting set for June 6 on the possibility of removing Video Assistant Referee (VAR) from the competition starting next season.
The initiative comes from Wolverhampton, which has formally petitioned the Premier League to end VAR, stating that it was introduced "in good faith" but has ultimately had "negative consequences damaging the relationship between fans and football."
The proposal now requires the backing of the clubs at the June 6 assembly, where 14 favorable votes out of the twenty Premier League clubs are needed for the idea to succeed.
"The introduction of VAR in 2019-20 was a decision made in good faith and in the best interests of football and the Premier League. However, it has resulted in numerous unintended negative consequences that damage the relationship between fans and football and weaken the value of the Premier League brand," the statement issued by the 'Wolves' reads.
The note refers, among other aspects, to the "impact on goal celebrations and passion, as well as the confusion on the field while plays are being reviewed."
According to Wolverhampton, VAR has led to a "diminishment of referee accountability on the field and a decline in their authority on the pitch." It mentions "continual errors despite VAR, with fans unwilling to accept human error after multiple replays," as well as the excessive "prolongation of matches and increased stoppage time."
The 'Wolves' state that "after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for constructive debate about its future" and point out that the price paid "for a marginal increase in accuracy goes against the spirit of the game." "Therefore, it should be scrapped starting from next season," it emphasizes.