Semi-automated offside technology will be introduced next season to help save time during offside checks, the league says.
English Premier League teams have voted to retain video assistant referees (VAR) despite widespread criticism last season of the technology-assisted refereeing system.
Although the statement did not include figures for Thursday’s ballot at the Premier League’s annual general meeting, the BBC reported that 19 of the division’s 20 clubs voted in favor of retaining the technology.
The BBC said only Wolverhampton Wanderers, who last month called for a vote to scrap the system, had supported abolishing VAR.
The Midlands club had accused VAR of “damaging the value of the Premier League brand” after another season of several questionable decisions.
VAR was introduced to the Premier League in 2019 in a bid to help referees avoid the clear and obvious errors that had marred matches in the past.
But there has been plenty of controversy surrounding the technology during the recently concluded 2023-24 campaign, with Premier League managers and fans increasingly expressing their disdain for the system.
Clubs today voted in favor of maintaining VAR in the Premier League. Although VAR allows for more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvements should be made in the interest of the game and the fans.
There are six areas of focus: https://t.co/Kmb27g2bNH pic.twitter.com/CzSvnvcizW
–Premierleague (@premierleague) June 6, 2024
However, after Thursday’s vote, the Premier League acknowledged that improvements were needed.
“While VAR produces more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvements should be made in the best interests of the game and the fans,” the league said in a statement.
Semi-automated offside technology is set to be introduced next season in the hope it will reduce the time taken for offside checks, while in-stadium announcements will be made when an on-field decision is changed after a VAR intervention to keep supporters informed.
The Premier League added that the “high threshold” for intervention would also be maintained.
Six key areas were identified during discussions with clubs:
- Maintain a high threshold for VAR.
- Reduce delays in the game, primarily through the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT).
- Improve the fan experience through reduced delays and in-stadium announcements from referees to explain post-VAR decision changes.
- More robust VAR training to improve consistency with an emphasis on speed while preserving accuracy.
- More transparency and communication around VAR.
- A VAR communications campaign with fans and stakeholders to better clarify the role of technology in the game.
The league confirmed in April that SAOT would be introduced in fall 2024 to enable faster and consistent placement of the virtual offside line based on optical player tracking.
The league and Professional Game Match Officials Ltd said they would continue to lobby the International Football Association Board to allow greater flexibility to allow live video and audio broadcasts during VAR reviews.
