February 5 – There have been 13 video assistant referee (VAR) mistakes in the Premier League so far this season, according to league bosses.
Four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed interventions from the first 23 rounds of games have been identified.
However, the league says the accuracy of ‘Key Match Incidents’ is at 96.4% – up from 95.7% at the corresponding point last term – and the overall number of errors has gone down from 20.
“Nobody here underestimates the significance and the impact of one single error,” said Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes.
“We know that one single error can cost clubs. Points and results can cost managers positions, potentially players their place.”
That’s been one of the main bugbears of managers and fans and in response, the league has unveiled a six-point plan aimed at enhancing the accuracy, speed, and transparency of VAR decisions.
A central component of this initiative is the potential introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) before this season concludes.
Additionally, the Premier League aims to enhance fan engagement by having referees announce VAR decisions within stadiums, a practice that could be implemented by the start of the next season.
Scholes emphasised the importance of this move, noting, “Frankly, it’s not good enough [VAR communication with supporters in stadiums]. None of us here at the league believe it’s good enough, and we have a long way to go to improve it.”
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