Premier League clubs have voted 19 to one to keep VAR with Wolves voting against it, reports say

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are understood to be the only team who voted against the removal of VAR after many controversial refereeing decisions went against them last season. Credit: PA

VAR will be used in the Premier League next season after clubs voted 19 to one to keep it.

The league confirmed there had been a vote in favour of continuing with the technology in 2024-25.

ITV News understands that Wolves, who had called the vote to scrap VAR, were the only team to back its removal from the league.

The Black Country club were understood to be adamant the vote take place, even though it was likely to end in a heavy defeat.

The Premier League, its clubs and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) did acknowledge that improvements needed to be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.

In a statement today, six points were agreed to improve VAR:

  • Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and flow of the game.

  • Reducing delays to the game with semi-automated offside technology.

  • Improving fan experience with a reduction of delays and in-stadium announcements from referees after a VAR decision change, and where possible an offering of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.

  • Working with referees to improve VAR's consistency.

  • Increasing transparency around VAR including expanded communications from officials.

  • The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign which will clarify VAR's role in the game to supporters.

The Premier League said the "high threshold" for intervention would also be maintained.

In a statement, Wolverhampton Wanderers said: "While we are disappointed with the outcome of the vote on the future of VAR at today’s Annual General Meeting, we acknowledge and accept the decision made by our fellow clubs and we are reassured that the Premier League is taking the concerns of clubs and supporters seriously."We welcome the commitment to improve VAR, particularly in areas that address delays, consistency, and fan experience. While we still believe that Premier League football would be superior for supporters, players, coaches and viewers without VAR, we think that these improvements are crucial for the integrity of the game and for enhancing the overall matchday experience for our supporters."Wolves remain committed to working closely with the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure that VAR continues to evolve and better serve the interests of football. We appreciate the efforts being made to address the issues that we have highlighted in our resolution and look forward to seeing whether the changes implemented this summer can reverse the decline in matchday experience for our fans, and respect for our officials."

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