Premier League Chief Calls for Faster VAR Reviews

The Chief Football Officer of the Premier League, Tony Scholes, has expressed concerns over the lengthy delays caused by VAR reviews in the current season. ESPN has reported a decrease in the number of mistakes made by VAR, from 25 last season to 20 this season. However, Scholes believes that the time taken for reviews has increased significantly since a controversial offside decision in a match between Liverpool and Arsenal. Scholes emphasized the need to improve the speed of decisions while maintaining accuracy.

Scholes acknowledged the scrutiny faced by VAR officials but stated that the flow of the game was being adversely affected. He expressed the Premier League’s desire to improve both the fan experience and the pace of matches. Although plans for the adoption of semi-automated offside next season have not yet been finalized, Scholes believes it could enhance the speed of reviews. However, he emphasized the need for thorough testing to ensure that the introduction of this technology does not lead to unintended issues.

According to Scholes, the Premier League has taken steps to improve refereeing standards, including the implementation of the Elite Referee Development Plan. The league also relies on the Independent Key Match Incidents Panel to assess contentious incidents and provide guidance to clubs and referees. Scholes praised the overall improvement in the accuracy of key match decisions, now standing at 96% compared to 82% before the introduction of VAR.

Among the clubs affected by VAR errors this season, Liverpool topped the list with four mistakes against their favor. Other clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea also recorded errors in their matches. However, successful VAR interventions have also occurred in matches involving several clubs.

Scholes acknowledged that there is still majority support for VAR but believes it is not yet sufficient. He stressed the need to improve the match-going fan experience by providing more transparency and communication during the VAR process. Scholes expressed hope for live audio and video presentations of VAR decisions in the future, albeit limited by regulations imposed by the IFAB.

Regarding the potential adoption of semi-automated offside, Scholes revealed that the Premier League continues to conduct non-live tests. However, concerns have emerged during testing, and a final decision will depend on clubs’ votes in the spring. Scholes emphasized the importance of not only increasing the speed of reviews but also ensuring the technology’s accuracy and effectiveness, particularly in challenging scenarios.