Premier League defend VAR usage as survey show fans want it scrapped

The Premier League has issued a statement to defend the usage of VAR as new survey by the Football Supporters Association (FSA) prove fans want it scrapped.

Introduced in 2019, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has continued to make headlines over its usage in the Premier League.

A recent study of nearly 8,000 supporters conducted by the FSA found that a staggering 90 per cent of fans believe the technology has actively worsened the matchday experience.

Despite the introduction of semi-automated offside technology and in-stadium referee announcements, latest data have proved fans are not pleased with the technologies.

To worsen the situation, recent Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel reports indicate that officiating errors have actually risen to 54 this term, compared to 44 at the same stage last season.

However, the Premier League’s hierarchy has countered the FSA’s findings by citing its own internal research, which suggests supporters are more interested in refinement than total abolition.

They argue that the high bar for intervention makes the English top flight less intrusive than its European counterparts.

The LED screen displays a message from VAR which reads “Checking Goal, Possible Offside” during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

In an official statement, the Premier League noted: “As part of ongoing dialogue with supporters, Premier League research indicates fans are largely in favour of keeping VAR, but improving the way it is used.” They added: “VAR delivers more correct decisions.

“In recent seasons, there have been around 100 correct VAR overturns per season – instances where goals would otherwise have been incorrectly awarded or disallowed, or red cards or penalties missed or wrongly given.

“The league applies a high threshold for VAR intervention, with the referee’s call taking precedence. As a result, VAR is less intrusive in the Premier League than in other European leagues, including the Champions League, where VAR intervenes almost twice as often.”

With fans calling for an end to VAR usage, the upcoming summer general meeting will see some decisive discussions, and decisions being made.

Some clubs might lobby for radical changes while some might follow fans opinion of scrapping the technology.