Wolves’ Campaign Against VAR in Premier League
Wolves are leading a campaign to have the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system scrapped from the Premier League starting next season. The Molineux club has been at the receiving end of numerous controversial refereeing decisions this season, leading them to believe that VAR is undermining the value of the Premier League brand.
Resolution Submission and Support
They have submitted a resolution to trigger a vote at the league’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June. To pass the resolution, they will need the support of at least 13 out of the other 19 clubs in the league. Wolves are actively engaging with other clubs to garner support leading up to the upcoming meeting.
Wolves’ Stance on VAR
Wolves have expressed their concerns regarding VAR’s impact on the Premier League brand. They believe that the introduction of VAR, while made with good intentions, has resulted in unintended negative consequences that are harming the relationship between fans and football.
- VAR undermines the value of the Premier League brand
- It has led to damaging consequences in fan-football interactions
- Wolves propose removing VAR from the 2024/25 season onwards
Challenges Faced by Wolves
Throughout the season, Wolves have felt aggrieved by various decisions, prompting boss Gary O’Neil to receive apologetic phone calls from Howard Webb, the chief of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). They have identified key concerns such as the impact on goal celebrations, lengthy VAR checks, lack of communication in stadiums, and the erosion of the on-field referee’s authority.
League’s Response
While Wolves advocate for the removal of VAR, the Premier League holds a different view. The league plans to facilitate a discussion on VAR with its clubs at the upcoming AGM. The Premier League acknowledges the concerns raised by clubs regarding VAR and its implications. However, they maintain their support for VAR and are committed to making continuous improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and its fans.
The Premier League, in collaboration with PGMOL, emphasizes that VAR plays a crucial role in reducing incorrect decisions and upholding the integrity of the league. They believe that eliminating VAR could lead to an increase in erroneous decisions, further tarnishing the league’s reputation.