Liverpool reportedly supports the continued use of VAR in the Premier League. Wolves called for a vote to scrap the system earlier this week after being aggrieved over decisions that have gone against Gary O’Neil’s side this season.
All 20 sides will vote at the annual general meeting next month with a Premier League statement confirming it ‘fully supports’ the use of VAR and is committed to making improvements ‘for the benefit of the game and fans’.
Premier League rules state that any rule change needs 14 out of the 20 clubs to vote in favor of scrapping VAR but Wolves is the only club to publicly declare its intention to vote.
At this stage, it does appear unlikely that VAR will be ditched and The Independent reports that Liverpool is in favor of keeping the system. It is also stated that another unnamed club indicated its support, while a further side said it would not vote to scrap VAR.
Liverpool’s support comes despite being on the receiving end of the most controversial decision of the season against Tottenham in October. The Reds called for a ‘review with full transparency’ after the match after Luis Díaz saw his goal incorrectly disallowed, and then not overturned.
It is also reported that there was a fear that scrapping VAR would create inconsistency for those teams playing in Europe next season. Liverpool will return to the Champions League in August, where a semi-automated VAR system has been in use.
The Wolves statement suggested VAR was damaging the game for supporters, reading: “The introduction of VAR was a decision made in good faith and with the best interests of football and the Premier League at heart. However, it has led to numerous unintended consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football.
“They include the impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football special. There is frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communication along with continued errors, a more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAR.”
Liverpool.com says: It seemed it would be difficult to get 14 clubs to vote in favor of scrapping VAR and Wolves is unlikely to get its wish. Liverpool fans have been ruing the offside goal at Tottenham all season and there is no doubt VAR has impacted the game for fans. Other countries appear to have done alright with it though so it can work, but there must be tweaks to how it is used in the Premier League.
