PAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
Premier League poised to make revolutionary change to VAR that is set to end huge delays in game
Fans are also being given a new tool to find explanations
PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are set to reveal a state-of-the-art VAR update to speed up decisions.
The top flight will introduce a new version of the system using semi-automatic offside technology.
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Bosses claim the system - which uses artificial Intelligence - will lead to the best officiating in the world.
Technology company Genius Sports which will install 28 special cameras at every Premier League ground.
Fans were left fuming at lengthy VAR checks last season.
It took nearly six minutes to disallow a West Ham goal against Aston Villa.
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With the average referral taking 64 seconds, games were regularly taking over 100 minutes to complete.
Blunders were also an issue last campaign with a Brentford offside missed in the buildup to a goal at Arsenal, and manually drawn lines placed on the wrong Crystal Palace defender leading to a Brighton being disallowed on the SAME DAY.
Not to mention the incredible blunder that saw Luis Diaz's onside goal infamously ruled out against Spurs.
Uefa deployed a version of SAOT in the Champions League and it was also in use at the Qatar World Cup.
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Another huge change to VAR has been announced in the build-up to the season.
Fans will now be able to access updates from Stockley Park throughout each match, explaining the decisions made by VAR officials.
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The updates will be provided on Premier League Match Centre, a brand-new X account.
An official statement from the Premier League read: "The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.
"For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.
"The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.
"In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.
"Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition.
"It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world."
Wolves' VAR complaints
Wolves have listed nine negative repercussions from the introduction of VAR in their complaint.
- Impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football special
- Frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communication
- A more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAR
- Overreach of VAR’s original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes, now overanalysing subjective decisions and compromising the game’s fluidity and integrity
- Diminished accountability of on-field officials, due to the safety net of VAR, leading to an erosion of authority on the pitch
- Continued errors despite VAR, with supporters unable to accept human error after multiple views and replays, damaging confidence in officiating standards
- Disruption of the Premier League’s fast pace with lengthy VAR checks and more added time, causing matches to run excessively long
- Constant discourse about VAR decisions often overshadowing the match itself, and tarnishing the reputation of the league
- Erosion of trust and reputation, with VAR fuelling completely nonsensical allegations of corruption