Premier
League fans inside stadiums will get more detailed information about VAR
checks starting from next month.
The decision was agreed by the Premier League and the PGMOL, the referees'
association, at Thursday's stakeholder meeting.
During one of the longest Premier League shareholders meetings in recent
years, referees boss Mike Riley spoke for more than an hour, admitting that
the league had to improve the consistency and speed of decisions along with
the communication to fans after 12 weeks of VAR.
He then faced a 50-minute grilling from representatives of all 20 Premier
League clubs, who raised a host of concerns about the technology and its
use.
The Premier League will commission Hawkeye, who provide the in-stadia
updates, to offer more written information on screens so fans know what
incidents are being considered by VARs at Stockley Park.
For instance, under the new guidelines a message will appear on the big
screens saying 'Checking Penalty - Possible Handball', rather than just,
'Checking Penalty'.
The Premier League will continue to show definitive video clips for all
overturned decisions, but is not allowed to show video until the VAR has
made a decision.
Despite significant opposition from a number of clubs the Premier League
chiefs dismissed calls to use the controversial pitch side monitors more
often, believing that a major change of policy mid-season would affect the
integrity of the competition.
There had been calls for on-field officials to refer to the monitors more
regularly, but the league said "it would be reserved for unseen incidents,
or when information from the VAR is outside the expectation range of the
referee".
The statement added: "Ensuring the pace and tempo of Premier League football
remains an important focus for clubs".
It is understood opinions were mixed from the clubs, with some suggesting
they were "baffled" by how VAR is being used; while other clubs remain
supportive of the technology they believe is here to stay.
It is also understood that Riley emphasised that the number of correct
decisions in Key Match Incidents has risen from 82 per cent to 91 per cent
in the last three months and promised that research will now take place with
fans and clubs to understand their views on how VAR can be improved.
Speaking after the meeting, Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow
said: "I've got grave concerns about VAR but so has everybody in the room.
"We had a very robust discussion, messages got through to the Premier League
and referees' association that fans are unhappy and many other stakeholders
think we've got to do a whole lot better.
"I expect to see real improvements in the speed of decisions, consistency
and above all else - for those of us in the stadia - we want much better
communication of what's going on - before, during and after.
"I think if we get those three ingredients, things will look a whole lot
better in a few months' time."
West Ham co-owner David Gold was more supportive.
"VAR is alive and kicking and we have just got to be patient," he said.
"There are a few changes that have to be made and they will be. But it's
improving all the time and we are confident that we are doing the right
thing.
"My personal opinion, I cannot support the idea that we are going to have a
referee that's been running around for an hour, has then got to run all the
way over to the pitch side to watch the event. That's not right. We can't do
that."
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