English clubs to use VAR

Top-flight clubs in England have agreed “in principle” to the introduction of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) technology from next season, the Premier League has announced.

VAR was used at the World Cup in the summer.

Premier League clubs have agreed in principle to introduce Video Assistant Referees from next season.

At yesterday’s shareholders’ meeting in London, clubs were presented with an update on the non-live VAR trials which have been taking place, while the system’s use in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as other major leagues, was discussed.

A formal request will now be made to both law-makers, the International Football Association Board, and Fifa, the world governing body, to use VAR next season.

The Premier League said in a statement that its “nonlive testing programme will remain in place for the rest of this season, with a continued emphasis on those Saturday afternoons which have several matches being played concurrently and developing a clear protocol for communicating VAR decisions to fans”.

VAR technology was used at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia and, after initial teething problems, it was generally viewed to have been a success.

The German Bundesliga and Serie A in Italy both already have VAR, while Uefa is set to bring it in for the Champions League from 2019/2020.

Southampton striker Charlie Austin hit out at the lack of VAR in the Premier League only last weekend after seeing a goal controversially ruled out during the 1-1 draw against Watford.

“We go on about VAR this, VAR that – help the officials out, clearly they need help,” a heated Austin said afterwards. “We play in the Premier League, the most-watched league in the world. Give them all the help they need because clearly they cost us two points today. It’s a joke.”