In response to the escalating controversies surrounding VAR decisions in the current season, the Premier League is gearing up for a significant overhaul of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The league aims to introduce a radical change inspired by cricket’s Decision Review System (DRS) starting from the upcoming season.
The use of VAR has sparked intense debates and criticism due to several contentious calls, including the disallowed offside goal for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur and disputed incidents involving Arsenal’s matches against Newcastle and West Ham. The latest incident involved a denied penalty claim for Liverpool against Arsenal, intensifying calls for a review of the VAR protocol.
Drawing inspiration from cricket’s DRS, the Premier League plans to enhance transparency by allowing referees to explain VAR decisions directly to fans. According to reports from the Daily Mail, starting next season, referees may communicate their decision-making process to the audience, a move aimed at fostering better understanding and acceptance of VAR outcomes.
The proposed system mirrors cricket’s approach, where the third umpire communicates observations to the on-field umpire and the public throughout the decision-making process. Similar protocols are employed in rugby union, rugby league, and even in global football events such as the Women’s World Cup and the Club World Cup. Referees in these competitions are mic’d up, and after consulting the VAR monitor and reaching a decision, they declare the basic reasoning over the PA system to the crowd.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for the laws of the game, has reportedly granted Premier League referees the authority to communicate their decisions to the audience in the stadium. Successful trials of this procedure have already taken place in Mexico and Portugal, providing optimism that this innovative approach will be embraced by the Premier League.
Pending approval, this groundbreaking change aims to bridge the gap between referees, VAR decisions, and fans, ushering in a new era of transparency in football officiating.