The Premier League have issued a statement confirming their position amidst reports the VAR could be scrapped next season.
According to The Sun, Premier League Clubs are set to vote on whether to continue the usage of VAR or not from next season.
The decision to return to the ballot to decide the fate of the controversial football technology was reportedly initiated by a complaint by Wolves, as reported by the Athletic.
According to The Athletic, Wolves officially submitted a complaint to the Premier League calling for the technology to be scrapped. And by so doing so, Premier League clubs will be obliged to vote on whether to scrap the technology or not.
The the report adds voting will be done after the season on June 6 with all the 20 Premier League clubs expected to take a stand on the future of the technology in the English top-flight.
Wolves statement, as quoted by the Athletic, reads;
“There is no blame to be placed — we are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football — and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.
“However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.
“Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.”
Wolves further elaborated the decision to adopt VAR was a sublime move done in ‘good faith’ to sanitize the game but is has turned out to neutralize its own purpose by causing more controversies than before.
The club also insisted VAR has ‘damaged the relationship between fans football,’ and by extension doing damage to Premier League brand as a whole.
The Premier League reacts;
Reacting to the call by Wolves to to scrap VAR and the sequential rumors it could be scrapped, Pemier League spokesperson confirmed a discussion on the VAR will be organized in the general meeting on June 6 as reported but added the body is in no way withdrawing the technology as things stand.
“The Premier League can confirm it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at the annual general meeting next month.
“Clubs are entitled to put forward proposals at shareholders’ meetings and we acknowledge the concerns and issues around the use of VAR.
“However, the league fully supports the use of VAR and remains committed, alongside PGMOL, to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and fans.”
This season, Premier League matches have been marred with attendant number of VAR errors which has pitted fans and football officials against match officials.
While the Premier League is committed to a review of the application of the technology, it could be gleaned from the spokesperson’s statement that they are not ready to retrieve the device. Instead, they have pledged to work with relevant agencies to improve it.
What is your take? Should the VAR be scrapped or not?
