EPL to use VAR next season

Following a weekend of more controversial decisions in the EPL, which lead to more calls to fix matters, the EPL announced today that they will introduce Video assistant referees (VAR) next season.

The technology will be used in the EPL after clubs signed on to the principle after the clubs were given an update at a meeting on Thursday. This follows the announcement that it will be used in the UEFA Champions League next year, as well as at EURO 2020, the Europa League from 2020-21 and the 2021 Nations League finals.

Serie A and the Bundesliga already use it.

The technology will  need little adaptation as all Carabao Cup games all held at Premier League grounds this season are already employing it.

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey, speaking on BBC Radio 5 live’s Afternoon Edition: “I think it is a good thing. I know a lot of people are against it but we’ve got to embrace it now and move forward.

“We’ve seen this season a number of incidences that have been called wrong, especially this weekend when there were a number of goals ruled out when they shouldn’t have been.

“I think as long as we get the training and education right, and we get the right personnel, that’s the most important thing for me.

“The referees will still want to go out and get the key match decisions right, it’s very important that referees are not hiding behind the VAR – they’ve still going to be making these big calls correctly.”

One thorny issue still to be addressed is how the decisions will be communicated to the crowd.