Ipswich Town: Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping VAR
The Premier League have confirmed that clubs will have the opportunity to vote on scrapping Video Assistant Referees [VAR] from next season, when Ipswich Town return to the top flight after 22 years away.
The proposal will be heard at a shareholders’ meeting on June 6th after the motion was tables by Wolves, who’ve been the most affected by VAR this season with 17 decisions going against them.
In a statement, they said: “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.”
The club went on to list a number of issues with the technology, saying that it undermines “the value of the Premier League brand” and that the “erosion of trust and reputation” has led to “completely nonsensical allegations of corruption”.
The Premier League are strongly against the motion which, if passed, would make the top flight of English football one of the only major leagues in Europe to not use VAR.
“Clubs are entitled to put forward proposals at the shareholders’ meetings and we acknowledge the concerns and issues around the use of VAR,” a spokesperson said.
“However, the League fully supports the use of VAR and remains committed, alongside PMGOL, to make continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and the fans.”
Nottingham Forest, who are set to retain their place in the top flight, put out a controversial Tweet following their 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, where three major decisions went against them.
“Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept,” they posted after the match.
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