Premier League clubs are set to reject Wolverhampton Wanderers' ambitious proposal to scrap the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, according to sources close to talkSPORT. The decision is expected despite a separate proposal from Aston Villa, which is likely to be approved.
Wolves need the backing of at least 13 other clubs when they present their case at their two-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) starting in Harrogate on Friday. However, achieving this support appears unlikely as scrapping VAR altogether would require a majority vote of 14 clubs.
Wolves listed nine solid reasons behind their claim
In an official statement, Wolves listed nine reasons why they believe VAR should be abolished. They stated that the move came “after careful consideration and with the utmost respect for the Premier League, (referees body) PGMOL and our fellow competitors."
Wolves released statement:
"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.
“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.”
Controversy surrounding VAR
Since its introduction into English top-flight football at the beginning of the 2019/20 season, VAR has been a consistent source of controversy due to contentious and inconsistent decisions. The technology was initially introduced with an aim to assist referees in making key decisions during Premier League matches.
However, several incidents have sparked debates among sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike. One such incident occurred during Tottenham's 2-1 home win in the Liverpool match this season where Luis Diaz's goal for Liverpool was incorrectly ruled out for offside despite replays showing he was onside.
Nottingham Forest also made headlines after accusing VAR official Stuart Atwell of supporting relegation rivals Luton following their 2-0 defeat at Everton in April.
Proposed Changes
Despite these controversies, PGMOL chief Howard Webb has proposed changes aimed at improving communication around VAR decisions rather than scrapping it entirely. He suggested that referees could use PA systems in stadiums to explain these decisions directly to spectators.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) later released the audio from the VAR room at Stockley Park that showed the blunder during Tottenham match against Liverpool, describing it as a 'significant human error'.
While VAR continues to be a hot topic in Premier League discussions, it seems unlikely that Wolves' bid to scrap it will succeed. Instead, efforts are being made towards improving communication and reducing human errors associated with its use. As sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts continue their debates on VAR's effectiveness, only time will tell if these changes will bring about an improvement in decision-making in football matches.
