The Premier League hopes to improve the fan experience of VAR
Premier League clubs have voted 19 to one in favor of retaining VAR for the next season.
The league confirmed that a vote had taken place, endorsing the continuation of the technology for the 2024-25 season.
The PA news agency understands that Wolverhampton Wanderers, who last month initiated the call to scrap VAR, were ultimately the sole club supporting its abolition.
The Black Country club was reportedly resolute, even on the day before the Premier League's annual general meeting in Harrogate on Thursday, in wanting a vote to occur, despite anticipating a significant defeat.
The Premier League, along with its clubs and the referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), recognized the need for improvements to benefit the game and its supporters.
Semi-automated offside technology is scheduled for introduction in the autumn, which, according to top-flight sources, will shorten the duration needed for offside checks. Additionally, in-stadium announcements will be made when an on-field decision is altered following a VAR intervention.
The Premier League stated that the "high threshold" for intervention would be upheld.
The league also aims to enhance the fan experience of VAR by providing big-screen replays of all VAR interventions where feasible.
The league plans to collaborate with PGMOL on "more robust" training for officials to boost consistency, focusing on speed while maintaining accuracy. The league also committed to "expanded communications" on VAR from its match center and by continuing programs like Match Officials Mic'd Up.
Furthermore, the league intends to persist in lobbying the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, to permit live video and audio broadcasts during VAR reviews.
