Football

Premier League chief says VAR is going nowhere – but hints at changes to offside calls


Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says there is no going back on the use of Video Assistant Referees despite a fierce backlash from supporters.

He did, however, hint that there could be a change was in marginal offsides which has arguably been the biggest complaint from fans over long delays.

Football’s law makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), are meeting in Belfast at the end of the month and will discuss whether to change and increase the margins on offside decisions to give some extra leeway.

But Masters said: “It’s here to stay and certainly it’s going to be with us next season.

“We are at 94 per cent key match decisions are correct now, 97 per cent of assistants decisions are correct, so it is having an impact on the outcome of games, on the league tables, which is what you wanted to happen.

“As a league we want to work really hard on ironing out those other issues.

VAR continues to polarise opinion

“Offsides is one and whether you want offsides that are precise to the armpit or the heel, or whether you want to build in a bit of tolerance. That is sort of a technical challenge.

“We are in constant dialogue with IFAB about it and about the way the Premier League does it versus everyone else and what we can learn from other leagues.

“We wanted to make sure it came in and delivered the benefits but to minimum disruption.

“The right decision has to be made but also it has to be balanced off against the potential increase in delay. And that is not necessarily a straightforward decision.”

Masters contested the latest YouGov poll, which showed that 67 per cent of fans said VAR has made football less enjoyable, with the Premier League’s own research which will be presented to the club’s at Thursday’s stakeholders meeting.

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Despite the ongoing VAR rows, the Premier League insist it has never been more popular despite a very one-sided title race with Liverpool 22 points clear.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola even poked fun at former chief executive Richard Scudamore last Sunday for saying in the past that one team dominating was bad for the competition.

Sky’s viewing figures have revealed that three of the top five most viewed matches in Premier League history have come this season.

Masters added: “I remember being asked in the summer if I was concerned that City would go again and win it three times in a row. I said I thought I was going to be close – but I was wrong!

“That is the beauty of the Premier League. You can’t even guess what is going to happen for the rest of this season, let alone next.”





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