The debate on the future of VAR
Five years after its introduction, the video refereeing system (VAR) is in danger of disappearing in England. According to The Athletic, the 20 Premier League clubs will vote on June 6 to decide whether to eliminate VAR from the 2024/25 season. This proposal has been presented by Wolverhampton Wanderers and will need the favorable vote of 14 of the 20 representatives of the clubs at the Annual General Assembly held in Harrogate.
The position of Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers have issued a statement in which they express their position regarding VAR. The club argue that after five seasons with VAR in the Premier League, a constructive and critical debate about its future is necessary. Wolves claim the price being paid for a small increase in accuracy goes against the spirit of football and are therefore proposing to scrap VAR from the 2024-25 season.
The negative consequences of VAR
In the statement, Wolverhampton also listed several negative consequences that it believes VAR has had on football. These include confusion, a more hostile environment and an impact on goal celebrations. The club also criticizes that VAR now analyzes subjective decisions, diminishes the responsibility of referees and disrupts the fast pace of the Premier League.
Recent controversies
The VAR has been the subject of controversy on several occasions. Recently, Manchester City’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur sparked controversy for a possible offside position. Also, in a match between Tottenham and Liverpool, there was a miscommunication between the referee and the VAR which affected the decision on a disallowed goal.
The future of VAR in England
The future of VAR in England will be decided on June 6, when Premier League clubs vote to determine whether the video refereeing system will continue to be used from the 2024/25 season. This decision will have a significant impact on English football and the way decisions are made during matches.
