The Premier League promises to enhance VAR.

The Premier League‘s Chief Football Officer has acknowledged that the current state of Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) falls short of expectations and has pledged to collaborate with international football governing bodies to enhance the experience for fans attending matches.

While Tony Scholes highlights that data indicates match officials are making more accurate decisions with VAR compared to its initial introduction in England’s top flight,

he concedes that VAR reviews are excessively time-consuming and leave stadium spectators uninformed.

Scholes explains that both FIFA and the International FA Board (IFAB) have reservations about implementing Rugby- and NFL-style audio communication from referees during games and displaying the same video replays used by VAR officials on stadium screens due to concerns about inciting unruly behavior.

However, he expresses the League’s aspiration to ensure that spectators

understand the rationale behind VAR decisions and suggests that improved training

will address other contentious aspects of VAR.

Scholes acknowledges the imperfections in the current use of VAR, despite its reported 96% accuracy rate, emphasizing the need to enhance the in-stadium experience for supporters.

He identifies the prolonged review process as a significant issue affecting the flow of

the game and emphasizes the importance of maintaining both speed and accuracy in decision-making.

Regarding communication with supporters inside the stadium, Scholes states that

IFAB currently prohibits the use of audio, but he anticipates a future where both video and audio are shared live

and afterward to elucidate decisions. He underscores the League’s commitment to lobbying for openness, transparency, and informative VAR implementation.

Scholes also mentions discussions about adopting semi-automated offside technology, similar to that used in the World Cup and Champions League. However, he indicates the League’s cautious

approach, stating that they are still evaluating systems and any potential implementation

is unlikely before the start of the 2024-25 season.

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