Major VAR change reportedly blocked by Premier League managers

They shut it down straight away

Though bosses have often called for change and updates to the way VAR works, there was one addition referees wanted to bring in this year that was shot down instantly by Premier League bosses.

The Telegraph reports that in a private meeting with referee chief Howard Webb and Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes back in July, managers said they did not want referees announcing VAR decisions live on-mic to crowds in the stadiums.

Referees and assistants had been briefed that they would be expected to announce decisions live to crowds this season however, when the Premier League revealed the ne new measures, these announcements were not among them.

According to The Telegraph, Premier League bosses rejected the measure due to fears it would add even more time to the process.

Other improvements to VAR that the Premier League have introduced include more on-screen messaging and replays of incidents where relevant and for those not at stadiums, the league will provide explanations on social media.

Semi-automated offside technology will also be introduced in the coming months.

It comes as a relief to some referees and officials who were said to be against the proposal as well.

It has been used in Major League Soccer and at the Fifa Women’s World Cup to great effect but it was not a popular suggestion among PGMOL group one officials.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has warned managers, players and chief executives against criticising VAR which it says damages the competition.

Earlier this year, Wolverhampton Wanderers launched an unsuccessful bid to abandon VAR technology altogether, but the league is hoping some of these issues have now been addressed.

Premier League records show the number of correct decisions in matches is currently on average 96 per cent compared to the 82 per cent before VAR was introduced.

Clubs are hoping that in its sixth season in the top-flight of English football, decisions will be quicker and there will be less interventions.