Premier League confirm six VAR changes after Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs vote

The Premier League have confirmed the six changes they’ll make to VAR after clubs voted against scrapping the technology.

The 20 clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have voted 19 to one to keep VAR next season. The league confirmed there had been a vote in favour of continuing with the technology in 2024-25.

It is understood that Wolves who last month called the vote to scrap VAR were ultimately the only club to back its abolition. The club were understood to be adamant, even the day before the Premier League’s annual general meeting in Harrogate on Thursday, that they wanted a vote to take place, even though they anticipated a heavy defeat, reports the Mirror.

A Premier League statement confirmed the news and also outlined the changes they’ll make next season. The statement said: “As part of thorough discussions at the Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that PGMOL, the Premier League and clubs all have important roles to play in improving the system and its reputation.

“As part of ongoing work to improve VAR, six key areas were focussed on as part of discussions with clubs:

1) Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and fewer interruptions to the flow of the game.

READ MORE: Dream Arsenal defence and goalkeeper after summer signings

READ MORE: Chelsea double transfer chance that changes everything for Enzo Maresca with Julian Alvarez deal

2) Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.

3) Enhancing the fan experience by reducing delays, having in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and, where possible, offering an enhanced selection of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.

4) Collaborating with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.

5) Boosting transparency and communication around VAR including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up.

6) Launching a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will aim to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.”