LET’S FIX VAR

EPL seek help from clubs to improve contentious system

THE English Premier League are asking their clubs to recommend improvements to VAR after a season riddled with controversial decisions. In what appears to be an acknowledgement that the system is flawed, feedback will be requested from managers, directors of football and captains — with any changes set to be implemented next season.

Contact was made earlier this week and clubs have been told that the Premier League are working with refereeing body PGMOL to ‘identify and implement improvements to VAR’.

VAR’s role in key decisions such as marginal offsides, penalties and serious foul play will be examined, although handballs will not be part of the consultation thanks to a pending summer rule change.

Clips of recent, controversial incidents will feature in a wide-ranging survey.

Clubs will be asked to view footage and give their thoughts on how the referee’s interpretation of the incident could be improved.

The survey will be sent out in the next couple of days and will be open until a week today.

Early findings will be presented at the shareholders’ meeting on March 25.

Clubs have also been offered the opportunity to hold summits with representatives from the Premier League and PGMOL ‘to discuss any wider VAR or on-field issues’.

It is understood that clubs have welcomed the opportunity to shape change.

Major concerns have been raised over VAR this season, with controversy commonplace.

On Wednesday night, for example, Manchester City were denied a clear penalty against Southampton after a bizarre VAR decision following a foul on Phil Foden.

After the game, City manager Pep Guardiola (pictured) described the failure to award the spot-kick as ‘incredible’.

VAR was introduced in the Premier League at the start of last season.

The Premier League say there was a rise in correct decisions from 82 per cent in 2018-19 to 94 per cent last season.

But club sources have disclosed that one of the main concerns is over inconsistency.

There is not thought to be an appetite to scrap the system, but clubs want officials to adhere to clear guidelines.

Frustrations have grown over the course of the season, with Guardiola pointing out that the non-penalty was the first time he had been critical of VAR.