There have been noticeable changes regarding the Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) rules in the English Premier League ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Administrators of the division have put in place some measures to ensure that teams don’t feel aggrieved over decisions.
Recall, Wolverhampton Wanderers was mentioned as one of the clubs against VAR, as they felt the technology has done more bad than good for officiating in England.
During the Annual General Meeting of the Premier League in June 2024, clubs overwhelmingly voted 19-1 against scrapping VAR.
This indicates that these clubs feel the technology has got much merits and as such, should still be in use in the years to come.
Anyway, let’s fill you in on the changes made to VAR in the English Premier League ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Following the earlier indicated AGM, the Premier League informed fans of an “ongoing work” to improve VAR.
Changes In English Premier League VAR Rules Ahead Of 2024-2025 Season
They pointed out six significant areas that would be focused on “as part of discussions with clubs”.
- Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and fewer interruptions to the flow of the game.
- Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology.
- 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.
- Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency.
- 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”.
- 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.
Interestingly, it was also announced this week that the Premier League Match Centre, an external account on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), will post “near-live” explanations of VAR decisions.
They made this revelation via a statement shared on the account which read: “Welcome to the Premier League Match Centre X account. This page will provide live updates from Stockley Park including information directly from the VAR Hub.
“We will issue near-live updates on operational matters from all matches – including clarification on refereeing and VAR.”
They also indicated that Refereeing and VAR clarifications will be based on the “factual information from the VAR Hub and the Premier League Match Centre.”
Additionally, it was also said that if it becomes necessary, further information on “Laws of the Game and VAR process from PGMOL experts will be communicated.”
In-game Discussions Seen “Too Chaotic” By IFAB
Apparently, IFAB, those in charge of making laws for the beautiful game called football, have ruled out broadcasting the in-game discussions between officials as it has been deemed “too chaotic”.
However, trials of referees announcing decisions to the crowd are still ongoing, and it was witnessed in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Stakeholders in officiating in the Premier League have expressed that to better the experience for fans at top-tier games this campaign, they plan to “put more replays on the big screens” and make more use of social media.
They also aim to ensure that people understand VAR will not achieve perfection, alongside “redefining” when the technology should be used.
Ultimately, the goal of using the Video Assistant Refereeing technology is to make sure the right decisions are made and apparently, it appears the Premier League are right on track with the use of VAR.
The Premier League claimed its figures showed the number of correct decisions in matches was at 96%, compared to 82% before the technology was introduced.
It will be fascinating to see what is in store for the fans in the upcoming season which will commence on August 16, 2024, with the opening game being Manchester United against Fulham.
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