The Premier League is anticipated to greenlight plans for referees to provide explanations for VAR decision changes ahead of the 2024/25 season, aiming to address concerns about prolonged VAR checks and the lack of transparency surrounding decision alterations, particularly in stadiums like Old Trafford and Anfield that lack large screens.
According to ESPN, the Premier League is hoping to implement regulations for referees to communicate decisions to crowds prior to the 2024/25 campaign. Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), discussed these plans on Match Officials Mic’d Up, a program where VAR decisions are elucidated, and referee communication is made audible.
Webb stated, “When you hear the clips on shows like this, it makes sense what’s happening; it all becomes apparent. We’re exploring ways to enhance the in-stadium experience. One of the things you’ll have seen maybe in FIFA tournaments, like the Women’s World Cup, is announcements from the referee once they’ve been to the screen. So we’re considering that, we’re open-minded about whether that’s something we could implement in the Premier League. It would be really useful for the referee to be able to address all the people in the stadium – [to explain] the rationale.”
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Referees vocalizing decisions was trialed at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as part of a 12-month experiment introduced by football’s law-making body, IFAB. This initiative has since been adopted by several leagues worldwide, including Major League Soccer.
Furthermore, the Premier League will introduce semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) from the upcoming season, albeit not at the season’s outset but rather later in the campaign to allow for smoother implementation.
Webb explained, “It will expedite the process in many instances involving tight offsides. Currently, we’re utilizing software, dropping lines from players’ body positions, which is time-consuming. Semi-automated offsides will streamline that process. There will still be situations with many players in close proximity where we’ll need to use the existing system. But in numerous cases, SAOT will accelerate the offside process because the software will do it for us. It suggests to us where the offside line is, but we still validate it to ensure accuracy.”
Webb concluded by noting the ongoing efforts to enhance accuracy and efficiency in officiating, aiming to leverage technology to benefit the game’s overall integrity, similar to the impact of VAR in recent years.