Premier League clubs are set to vote on scrapping VAR this summer.

The 20 clubs will meet in Harrogate on June 6th for their AGM where they will vote on a resolution proposed by Wolves which requires the support of 14 in order to be passed.

Wolves, who have been on the end of a number of controversial decisions this season, said in a statement: “The introduction of VAR in 2019/20 was a decision made in good faith and with the best interests of football and the Premier League at its heart.

“However, it has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand.

“The decision to table the resolution has come after careful consideration and with the utmost respect for the Premier League, PGMOL and our fellow competitors.

“There is no blame to be placed - we are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football - and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.

“However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.

“Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.”

A Premier League spokesperson said: “The Premier League can confirm it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at the Annual General Meeting next month.

“Clubs are entitled to put forward proposals at shareholders' meetings and we acknowledge the concerns and issues around the use of VAR.

“However, the League fully supports the use of VAR and remains committed, alongside PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited], to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and fans.”

If Wolves are unsuccessful with their proposal, the Blues would be required to install VAR infrastructure at Portman Road, one of a number of improvements and changes clubs are required to make to their grounds following promotion to the top flight.

Photo: Blair Ferguson

Rozeeboy74 added 15:03 - May 16 My issue is the length of time they go back in the passage if play. It seems they go back further when the VAR decision is against the top 6. Maybe it's just my perception.
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SpiritOfJohn added 15:59 - May 16 If VAR was only used to overturn clear and obvious mistakes by the referee and the assistant referees (aka linesmen) I wouldn't have a problem with it. However, it has been misused to the extent that it interferes too often and deliberates for too long. Agree with others that over 5 years it has got worse, not better, and is puffed up with its own importance - like most things related to the Premier League.

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bugblatter added 16:41 - May 16 Just make the lines thicker when calculating offside — if the lines overlap, then the striker is onside. Simple.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 18:33 - May 16 Agree with 62WasBest, I am happy with goal line tech but otherwise we should trust the officials on the pitch. If their performances were rated like those of players and given actual numbers based on the accuracy of their decision making then they would up their game as as well. We have not had VAR but when Prem refs did our games it seemed they and the lino were not making any decisions and expecting someone else to, VAR des-kills professional officials.

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Elwood added 18:43 - May 16 Anything that is clear and obvious should be rectified. If it takes more than 30 seconds it can't be.
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Elwood added 18:49 - May 16 Use it to penalise players (usually the prima donnas) who routinely fake injury from minimum contact. I'm looking forward to next year, but one aspect I could do without is triple rolls from Ferdinand, Maddison etc
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blueoneness added 21:34 - May 16 Football's obsession with 'VAR' technology mirrors a human obsession with certainty. Coventry City and football were denied a wonderful moment of FA Cup history by this ludicrous pursuit of certainty. Even then uncertainty remains despite an unforgettable result being overturned. Football is a game played by humans and it should be subject to the decision-making of humans, not AI. Will mistakes be made? Of course. There is no such thing as certainty despite the obsession with it. AI makes mistakes and humans make mistakes interpreting AI. There is no certain certainty, but the game is being ruined as a spectacle by chasing the impossible dream. For the Coventry player to be deemed offside by a fraction of a toe when no advantage was gleaned is a statement about the madness of seeking certainty - and the same is played out across human society by trying to take uncertainty out of life which so often means the deletion of freedom. The pursuit of certainty and impossible deletion of uncertainty is the foundation reason for producing snowflake generations.

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bobble added 21:49 - May 16 blueoneness ........its about catching cheats as well, so many blatant cheating goals and tackles have been allowed to stand and influence results over the years..........trouble is when people have access to tech they try and insert it in every part of their life, rather than using only necessary bits to improve their lives..
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thundercat added 19:06 - May 18 Have just watched the Southampton game from earlier, this just shows me what town have to be weary of next season in the Premier League, blatant diving and trying to con the ref, the penalty that they were awarded was a blatant dive and to think that they want to get rid of VAR.
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