Premier League Confronts VAR Errors, Fast-Tracks Offside Tech Upgrade

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Premier League has acknowledged 13 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) errors in the first 23 match rounds of the ongoing season, marking a decrease from the 20 errors recorded during the same period last season.

These errors include four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed incidents, as identified by the Key Match Incidents panel.

In response, the league has unveiled a six-point plan aimed at enhancing the accuracy, speed, and transparency of VAR decisions, with a key focus on introducing semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) before the season concludes.

Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s Chief Football Officer, expressed optimism regarding the proposed changes, emphasizing the progress made in recent weeks.

He noted that the SAOT system, already in use in Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) competitions would significantly reduce delays in offside decisions without compromising accuracy.

League officials had initially hoped to implement the system during the October or November international windows, but confidence in its efficiency remains a determining factor for its introduction.

If necessary, the league may delay the rollout until the start of the next season to ensure a seamless transition.

A major part of the improvement strategy involves enhancing communication with fans by allowing referees to announce VAR decisions within stadiums.

Scholes acknowledged the current communication gap, stating that the league is working within the constraints set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) but remains committed to making the process as transparent as possible.

The plan includes training referees to deliver clear announcements on the pitch while lobbying IFAB to allow for further communication enhancements.

Despite the advancements, the Premier League remains cautious about the implementation timeline for SAOT.

While the technology does not improve decision accuracy, it significantly enhances efficiency by reducing the time spent on offside reviews.

Current statistics indicate that the average VAR check takes 40 seconds, a marked improvement from last season’s one-minute-six-second duration.

The league hopes SAOT will further cut this time by approximately 31 seconds.

Meanwhile, the Premier League has disclosed four specific VAR errors but has refrained from listing the nine missed interventions.

Among the acknowledged mistakes was the controversial handball decision against Bournemouth’s Dango Outtara in their 1-1 draw with Newcastle, where VAR incorrectly overturned a goal due to inconclusive evidence.

Another incident saw West Ham awarded a penalty in their 2-1 victory over Manchester United after Danny Ings was fouled, a decision that was later deemed incorrect.

Brentford’s Christian Norgaard also received a red card against Everton, which was later overturned on appeal, and Nottingham Forest’s disallowed goal against Southampton was found to have been a valid strike upon review by an independent panel.

The Premier League’s broader plan to refine VAR includes clearer guidelines on the threshold for intervention, reducing game delays, improving the fan experience through replays and messaging on stadium screens, enhancing VAR training for referees, increasing transparency via real-time updates for broadcasters and fans, and providing better education on VAR decisions for all stakeholders.