Premier League managers to help fix VAR but Arsenal and Liverpool both warned

07 February 2024 , 22:00

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Arsenal and Liverpool have made public statements hitting out at VAR this season (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Premier League managers will be asked how they would fix VAR.

The Premier League have agreed to conduct a wide-ranging survey after one high-profile boss complained he no longer understood the handball law. They will now ask managers, team captains and fans about how they would improve the threshold when VAR intervenes, offsides and also handball.

Premier League’s chief footballing officer Tony Scholes also admitted that VAR decisions are taking too long while the experience for fans in stadiums during video reviews is “nowhere near good enough.” Big name bosses like Mikel Arteta, Vincent Kompany and Gary O’Neil have all moaned about VAR decisions and Scholes says they are ready to listen and push lawmakers IFAB to make any changes.

Scholes said: “We do consult with managers already and have two meetings a year and we do have a squad visit. At our last managers’ meeting, one asked: 'We have no idea where we are with the handball law now.’ Then others joined in and backed him up.

‌"That was one of the reasons why we wanted to survey people. It's a large survey on things like VAR threshold, offsides and handball. We are talking to captains, managers and other stakeholders, like the PFA and FSA. Just to be clear, it's not the first time we've done a survey but it's good to engage.”

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Scholes also highlighted how fans were finding VAR a turn-off because of the stadium experience, although he praised refereeing standards and insisted the majority of supporters they have asked still want video technology.

But Scholes said: “We're doing too many checks, we’re taking too long in doing them as well. The reviews are taking too long and it's affecting the flow of the game and we're extremely aware of that and the need to improve their speed, whilst always maintaining the accuracy.

VAR has had a number of controversial moments this season (Getty Images)

“The second area where the VAR experience is poor is the in-stadium experience for the supporter. It's nowhere near good enough. We know it's not. It affects supporters’ enjoyment of the game, and we know it needs to change.”

Scholes confirmed they are looking at introducing semi-automated offsides in the near future together with potentially getting the green light for refs to announce VAR decisions to the crowd in stadiums.

But Scholes did urge clubs to stop making public statements criticising decisions in the wake of both Arsenal and Liverpool going down that route this season. Scholes added: “It doesn't help when they have to go public with a statement when we are talking regularly.”‌

John Cross