Premier League Clubs Vote Overwhelmingly to Keep VAR, Enhancements Planned

Premier League clubs have voted decisively by 19-1 in favor of retaining video assistant referees (VAR) for the next season.

The vote was initiated by Wolves, who had formally submitted a resolution to the Premier League in May to reconsider the use of VAR for the 2024-25 season.

In order to discontinue VAR, 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs needed to vote in favor. However, the proposal did not gain sufficient support at Thursday’s annual general meeting.

Despite the challenges faced, the Premier League is committed to enhancing VAR. It was confirmed at the meeting that semi-automated offsides will be introduced in the autumn, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Additionally, the Premier League announced plans to implement in-game VAR announcements, a feature successfully used during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. This will allow referees to explain post-VAR decisions to supporters in stadiums, promoting transparency and understanding of the decisions made.

The commitment to maintaining and improving VAR demonstrates the Premier League’s dedication to fair play and the continuous enhancement of the game experience for players and fans alike.