It looks like Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is set to get his wish, as Premier League clubs prepare to vote on possibly getting rid of VAR.
The Magpies have been involved in plenty of VAR controversy since its inception in 2019, with the most recent blunder coming at Old Trafford as officials failed to award Anthony Gordon a blatant penalty.
After the incident, Gordon spoke very openly about VAR, questioning what the point of it is after the officials decided against giving him a clear penalty. It was a shocking decision, and one that will probably still anger the 23-year-old. He missed England’s friendly at St James’ Park on Monday because of the injury he suffered from that penalty incident, yet seemingly it was not a foul…
Newcastle United are not the only club to have been failed by VAR, with Wolverhampton Wanderers feeling incredibly let down by it. That is why they have proposed getting rid of it, and now Premier League clubs are going to have a vote.
Newcastle United and 19 other Premier League clubs to vote on VAR
However, it looks like Wolves are not going to get their wish.
That is according to the Athletic, who report that Premier League clubs are set to vote against getting rid of VAR at today’s (June 6th) annual general meeting.
A majority of at least 14 votes out of 20 is needed to pass the motion, but the Athletic report that most of the 20 Premier League clubs will likely choose to improve VAR rather than get rid of it.
Alan Shearer gets it right on VAR
With Premier League clubs seemingly set to stick with VAR for the 2024/25 season, it looks like Alan Shearer was right.
When it was announced that there was set to be a vote at the end of the season, the Newcastle United legend was asked to give his thoughts on what should happen with VAR. Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast that he thinks the Premier League should continue to use VAR, and focus more on improving it.
“My opinion would be that I would still keep VAR,” he said.
“But I would have a complete reset and go back to what they told us. How many times have I said it? For the absolute howlers and they are not going to re-referee the game, that’s what I would do it as.”
VAR change is on the horizon
I agree with Shearer. For all its failings, getting rid of it now would be a step in the wrong direction.
There would still be incorrect decisions made, and it would likely result in people wanting VAR back. It is here now, and officials and clubs must figure out how to use it more effectively.
That could start to happen as early as next season, with a VAR change on the horizon. The Premier League are set to bring in semi-automated offsides, like they use in the Champions League. That should prove to be a step in the right direction, as long as it runs as smoothly as it does in Europe.
VAR is never going to be perfect. Some spectators will always have issues with it, because football is not a perfect game. There is no way to get every decision right, as most of them are subjective.
But they need to get rid of the howlers. There have been too many blatant mistakes in the Premier League this season, and that needs to be rectified.
While many fans would love to see the back of VAR, it appears that Premier League clubs are instead going to vote in favour of simply making it better.
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