As clubs prepare to vote on whether to keep using VAR in the Premier league, the heads of the Premier league are determined to continue the use of the technology.
The meeting is due next month and Wolverhampton Wonderers have already voted against the use of VAR.
Numerous complaints have been made against the use of the technology throughout the 2023/24 campaign because it not only prolongs the time used by referees to make decision but also the decisions made are usually incorrect. Some of the decisions include the disapproval of Luis Diaz's goal against Tottenham Hotspur with the technology stating the Liverpool winger was offside, despite the confirmation of him being onside.
Wolves came out with a statement against continuing the use of VAR in the Premier league.
The statement read;
The introduction of VAR in 2019/20 was a decision made in good faith and with the best interests of football and the Premier League at its heart. However, it has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football and undermining the value of the Premier League brand.
In there own statement, the Premier league confirmed that VAR would be discussed at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June.
A spokesperson of the Premier league said the following;
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 [Professional Game Match Officials Limited], to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and fans.
Due to the above statement, VAR is unlikely to be discontinued. According to Betfair, VAR has a 1/8 chance of being used in the Premier league next season and 9/2 chance of being completely removed.
Sam Rosbottom a spokesperson of Betfair said the following;
There have been many errors with VAR since its induction in the Premier League in 2019 and clubs are now set to vote on whether to scrap it for next season. VAR is 9/2 to not be used in the 2024/25 campaign, but there is a high chance at 1/8 that the technology will still be in place come August 17.
