Wolverhampton Wanderers have bring an idea to remove VAR from the Premier League, with a vote scheduled for next month’s meeting of the 20 clubs.
Wolves will need support from 13 other clubs at the annual general meeting on June 6 to pass the resolution,
which would lead to the immediate removal of the video assistant referee from the English top flight. Any club can submit an agenda item, as the league operates democratically.
A statement issued by Wolves
“There is no blame to be placed. We are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.
“However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.
“Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.”
Wolves listed a number of complaints in its resolution:
– 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
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– 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
Wolves have been by far the worst affected through VAR, with more decisions against them than any other club since it was introduced in 2019-20.
Wolves have a net score on VAR overturns of minus-17 decisions, with the next worst-affected club being Arsenal on minus-7.
This season, Wolves have suffered continued frustrations, starting with the VAR’s failure to award them a stoppage-time penalty at Manchester United — which led to the officials being stood down.
Yet Wolves have only suffered two other mistakes, as judged by the Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel —
the failure to overturn penalties awarded to Newcastle United and Sheffield United.
All three mistakes against Wolves have been as a result of incorrect on-field decisions, rather than wrong interventions.
