Premier League
Premier League to Introduce VAR From Next Season
The Premier League is finally set to introduce VAR from the 2019/20 season. The shareholder’s finalized the decision in a meeting earlier today. All the clubs have reportedly agreed in principle to implement the system. The Video Assistant Referee already in place in some of Europe’s top five leagues. The German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga have already tried and tested it. The system is in place in these two leagues already.
According to an official statement provided by the Premier League on their website:
“At a shareholders’ meeting today, clubs were provided with an update on the non-live VAR trials being undertaken by the League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) this season.”
“The Premier League’s non-live testing program will remain in place for the rest of this season, with a continued emphasis on those Saturday afternoons which have several matches being played concurrently, and developing a clear protocol for communicating VAR decisions to fans.”
There was also a detailed discussion about all the findings about VAR’s use. The FA Cup has also begun using VAR.
The league will make a formal request to the International Football Association Board and FIFA to use VAR from next season.
Bane or Boon?
VAR has created waves in the football world. It is the focal point about a lot of discussions. Mainly, some are concerned about whether or not it is a step in the right direction. But many fans and pundits have also welcomed it. It obviously has a lot of benefits. It ensures quality officiating. Others believe it is a really time consuming process. It apparently takes away the humanistic aspects of the game.
But logically speaking other than the fact that it is time consuming there is no real down side to it. All teams benefit because the officials make fair decisions. The tiny errors in refereeing cost valuable points in leagues and sometimes even titles.
Step Forward for the PL
The Premier League has been a subject of questionable officiating a lot this season. Most recently in the game between Southampton and Watford. The referees controversially chalked off Charlie Austin’s goal in the second half. The goal would have put Southampton 2-0 up. The game might have been beyond doubt. Watford ended up equalizing in the 82nd minute. A very angry Charlie Austin spoke on behalf of the team and the Premier League after the game. He was understandably upset and surely the rest of the team was too. It cost Southampton two valuable points. He was strongly in favor of VAR during the interview.
He said the following in an explosive rant after the game-
“People go on about VAR, they clearly need help. If this is the best, most-watched league in the world then give them all the help they need. It is a joke.”
Most people will also be happy about VAR in the PL. It is not only a step forward for the league but also a relief for the players. As long as there will be subjectivity in football. And the sport is always evolving. The argument that VAR is time-consuming may end soon. Different people always interpret things differently. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Hence, there are always grey areas. Although there is certainly no doubt that VAR in the PL is a step in the right direction.
Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr
