Premier League Advocates for VAR Reform to Enhance Fan Experience

The Premier League is advocating for reform of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system due to concerns over the length of checks and the overall supporter experience. Tony Scholes, the chief football officer of the Premier League, acknowledged that the technology is currently inadequate for fans attending games and stated that improvements are necessary.

Scholes defended the standards of refereeing but admitted that VAR is not perfect. He outlined plans to expedite the review process and enhance communication within stadiums. Starting next season, fans will be informed of refereeing decisions during matches, but only after the VAR process for the specific incident has been resolved.

However, the Premier League has expressed frustration with the International Football Association Board (Ifab), the governing body responsible for the laws of the game, for restricting the league's proposed introduction of live updates from VAR. Scholes emphasized the need for better communication and acknowledged that the current situation negatively impacts supporters' enjoyment of the game.

In addition to advocating for improved communication, the Premier League is also focused on addressing the issue of decision speeds. Scholes highlighted that the review process is taking too long, disrupting the flow of the game. The league aims to improve the speed of decisions while maintaining accuracy, without the need for excessive double-checking.

To gather feedback and work towards technological and regulatory improvements, the Premier League plans to distribute surveys to managers, captains, and club directors. The handball law will be among the topics addressed, as there is a lack of clarity surrounding its interpretation.

Scholes defended the overall standard of refereeing, expressing disappointment in clubs that have publicly criticized league officiating. Despite the criticisms, the majority of supporters surveyed by the league still support the use of VAR, with the percentage of correct decisions increasing from 82% to 96% since its introduction.

While there have been some errors, the number of VAR mistakes has decreased from 25 at this stage last season to 20. Two notable incidents include the disallowed Burnley goal against Nottingham Forest and the overturned Arsenal penalty against Manchester United.