Premier League fans back scrapping VAR, according to survey | OneFootball

Three out of every four Premier League fans support scrapping video assistant refereeing (VAR), and the percentage is even higher among those who believe the tool has a negative impact on the experience of watching a match, according to a survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) released this Monday (30).

The poll, conducted with more than 8,000 fans — more than half of whom attend at least 15 matches per season at the stadium — shows the unpopularity of VAR, introduced in football in 2018, despite the Premier League’s claim that video refereeing has allowed on-field referees to make more accurate decisions.

Asked whether or not they support its use, 76% of respondents answered negatively, while more than 70% say VAR has not improved referees’ decisions.

The opinion is almost unanimous (97%) among those who believe video refereeing affects the experience of following a game.

“The results show that the majority of fans want VAR to be removed,” summarized Thomas Concannon, an FSA member.

“People get irritated by the time that is lost, by the accuracy, and by the reduced spontaneity. It takes away the essence of what football should be and the meaning of those special moments,” Concannon argued.

Since the introduction of VAR in the Premier League seven years ago, one of the most frequent complaints has been that the technology is designed more for viewers watching football on television than for those in the stadium, who often do not know why the games are being interrupted.

However, the survey also revealed that 94% of fans do not believe VAR improves the experience of watching matches on TV.

No immediate changes

In a statement, the Premier League said its surveys “indicate that fans are largely in favor of keeping VAR, but improving the way it is used.”

The possibility of immediate changes to the rules appears unlikely.

In 2024, 19 of the 20 Premier League clubs decided to keep VAR, with the only dissenting vote coming from Wolverhampton, which had proposed the vote.

For video refereeing to be abolished in England, it must have the support of at least 14 of the 20 clubs in the country’s top league.

In addition, starting with the next World Cup, the use of VAR will be expanded to include decisions involving corners and second yellow cards.

Until now, referees in the VAR booth could only intervene in goal situations, decisions related to possible penalties, straight red cards, and cases of mistaken identity involving a player.

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*By AFP

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.