The Premier League has acknowledged 13 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) errors during the first 23 rounds of the current season, a decrease from 20 errors at the same stage last year.
Despite this improvement, league officials are pushing for further enhancements to the system, unveiling a six-point plan designed to boost accuracy, speed, and transparency.
According to the league, the accuracy of “Key Match Incidents” stands at 96.4%, up from 95.7% at the corresponding point last season.
However, Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes emphasized that even a single error can have significant consequences.
“Nobody here underestimates the significance and the impact of one single error,” Scholes stated. “We know that one single error can cost clubs points and results, can cost managers positions, potentially players their place.”
The 13 identified errors comprise four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed interventions.
Addressing these issues is the core of the league’s new initiative.
A key element of the six-point plan is the potential introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) before the end of the current season. This technology is expected to provide faster and more accurate offside decisions.
Furthermore, the Premier League is looking to improve communication with fans.
Starting as early as next season, referees may announce VAR decisions within stadiums, a move aimed at increasing transparency and understanding. Scholes acknowledged the current shortcomings in fan communication, saying, “Frankly, it’s not good enough [VAR communication with supporters in stadiums]. None of us here at the league believe it’s good enough, and we have a long way to go to improve it.”
