PREMIER LEAGUE VOTES AGAINST VAR NEXT SEASON
>> LONDON: The Video Assistant Referee system (VAR) will not be used during the 2018/19 English Premier League season, officials announced on Friday.
Trials of VAR in English cup competitions this season have proved controversial and even though the technology is set to be used during this year’s World Cup in Russia, Premier League chiefs believe further tests are needed.
The decision was made at a Premier League shareholders meeting in London on Friday, where all 20 top-flight clubs voted.
“Premier League clubs have today agreed to continue advanced testing of Video Assistant Referees [VAR] throughout season 2018/19,” said a league statement.
“The decision came after comprehensive discussions regarding the progress made by VAR trials in English football and key learnings from competitions using it elsewhere.”
“The clubs recognised and are grateful for the substantial developments made by PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited] managing director Mike Riley and his team.”
One of the major concerns regarding VAR presently is the length of time it takes to reach a decision. It is also not always obvious to spectators inside the stadium when the match referee is calling upon the system or indeed what exactly is the incident he wants reviewed.
It was a point highlighted in the EPL’s statement, which said: “The clubs agreed that advanced testing will continue to the end of season 2018/19 to make further improvements to the system, especially around communication inside the stadium and for viewers at home.
“The Premier League will also be asking for VAR to be used more extensively in the FA Cup and Carabao [League] Cup in season 2018/19.”
Another problem experienced during the trials is the vexed question of when VAR should be called upon to overturn a “clear and obvious” error.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who experienced VAR during an FA Cup game with West Bromwich Albion, agreed improvement was needed before VAR could be used in the Premier League.
“The only experience I have with VAR is the West Brom game and I really think that was very interesting,” said Klopp. “We are all agreed it took a little long for all decisions... It’s not perfect at the moment”.