The Video Assistant-Referee will be entering the mad fray of the Barclays next season
Top-flight clubs have agreed, “in principle”, to the introduction of VAR technology from next season, the Premier League has announced.
Clubs were provided with an update on this season’s VAR trials at a shareholder’s meeting that took place today.
The Premier League will now make a formal request to Fifa and the International Football Association Board to use VAR next season.
BREAKING: VAR has been voted through by Premier League clubs and will be introduced for the start of next season
— Dan Roan (@danroan) November 15, 2018
The announcement has long been overdue and means that referees – yes, you Mike Dean – will be able to replay significant moments during the game, meaning that they can correct or reverse decisions for penalties, red cards and offside rulings.
VAR proved extremely effective as a tool for referees during the World Cup, and despite many fearing that it would take some of the drama out of matches, it proved to add a different kind of excitement into the mix during games.
Charlie Austin, for one, will be ecstatic, after the Southampton striker went on a rant on Saturday demanding the introduction of VAR after his team’s 1-1 draw with Watford, claiming referees “clearly need help” after Saint’s second goal was controversially ruled out.
Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic also had a goal disallowed at Anfield on Sunday when he appeared to be in an onside position.
“Don’t get me wrong, they’re human beings, they make mistakes, but they need help to avoid situations like this,” Mitro’ said.
Premier League clubs actually voted unanimously against the introduction of VAR this season in April, instead agreeing to “continue advanced testing” of VAR.
They have now completely reversed their decision to a better, which is spectacularly appropriate.
