Premier League clubs vote against scrapping VAR at AGM 19-1 after Wolverhampton Wanderers proposed vote

Premier League clubs have voted against scrapping VAR in their Annual General Meeting which was held on Thursday morning.

Wolverhampton Wanderers submitted a proposal back in May calling to get rid of the system after being involved in several controversial decisions throughout the course of last season.

It required 14 votes to pass but the vast majority of the 20 top-flight clubs backed keeping the review system which was introduced in 2019.

The vote was 19-1 in favour of keeping it, with Wolves the only team to vote in favour.

A Premier League statement read "Premier League clubs today voted in favour of continuing to operate VAR in the Premier League.  

"While VAR produces more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvements should be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.

"As part of thorough discussions at the Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that PGMOL, the Premier League and clubs all have important roles to play in improving the system and its reputation.

"As part of ongoing work to improve VAR, six key areas were focussed on as part of discussions with clubs:

"1) Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and less interruptions to the flow of the game.

"2) Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.

"3) Improving fan experience through a reduction in the delays, in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and where possible, an enhanced offering of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.

"4) Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.

"5) Increasing transparency and communication around VAR – including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up.

"6) The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will seek to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.

"It was confirmed in April that Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be introduced in the autumn of 2024.

"The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters. 

"The Premier League and PGMOL will continue to lobby IFAB to allow greater flexibility in the Laws of the Game to allow live video and audio broadcast during VAR reviews."

There have been moments of controversy surrounding VAR this season, including Anthony Gordon's winning goal against Arsenal in November, which Mikel Arteta labelled "a disgrace". Nottingham Forest also questioned the integrity of VAR Stuart Attwell and considered suing refereeing body PGMOL following their defeat to Everton in April.

After another incident in October, which saw Luiz Diaz's goal incorrectly ruled out for offside, the Premier League released a statement admitting it highlighted “systemic weaknesses in the VAR process”.

Despite that, clubs remain in favour of VAR. Statistically speaking, correct decisions have increased since its introduction, but PGMOL chief Howard Webb has outlined six ways in which he hopes VAR will be improved next season.

Reacting to the vote, a Wolves statement said: “While we are disappointed with the outcome of the vote on the future of VAR at today’s Annual General Meeting, we acknowledge and accept the decision made by our fellow clubs and we are reassured that the Premier League is taking the concerns of clubs and supporters seriously.

“We welcome the commitment to improve VAR, particularly in areas that address delays, consistency, and fan experience. While we still believe that Premier League football would be superior for supporters, players, coaches and viewers without VAR, we think that these improvements are crucial for the integrity of the game and for enhancing the overall matchday experience for our supporters.

“Wolves remain committed to working closely with the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure that VAR continues to evolve and better serve the interests of football. We appreciate the efforts being made to address the issues that we have highlighted in our resolution and look forward to seeing whether the changes implemented this summer can reverse the decline in matchday experience for our fans, and respect for our officials.”

Also on the agenda at the meeting was anchoring, which is essentially a cap on how much clubs can spend on wages, amortised transfer fees, and agent costs.

The idea is that it would be worked out by multiplying the bottom club’s TV revenue by a number not yet agreed upon.

Clubs voted it through, meaning it will be trialled across the 2024/25 season, although there will be no punishment for a breach as the Premier League and the PFA evaluate its effectiveness.

There were also votes on amending the profit and sustainability rules. Aston Villa proposed raising the upper threshold for losses over a three-year period from £105m to £135m, while Crystal Palace suggested an alternative way to increases the losses allowed.

Both proposals were rejected, though, meaning the limit for permitted losses over three years will remain set at £105m.

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