Aston Villa and Wolves affected as Premier League make important change to VAR

Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers fans will benefit from increased transparency throughout the upcoming campaign as a new Premier League Match Centre has been founded.

Clarifications over key and controversial decisions will now be made quicker than ever before with the English top tier posting to an official page on the social media platform, X. Named as ‘Premier League Match Centre’, the new account will be used to provide explanations within minutes of VAR interventions being made.

A statement from the official account reads: “This page will provide live updates from Stockley Park including information directly from the VAR Hub. We will issue near-live updates on operational matters from all matches – including clarification on refereeing and VAR.

“Refereeing and VAR clarifications will be based on the factual information from the VAR Hub and the Premier League Match Centre. Where necessary, additional information on Laws of the Game and VAR process from PGMOL experts will be communicated.

“This account is open for all supporters to follow with the aim of increasing transparency around VAR and officiating in the Premier League.”

The introduction of the new Match Centre comes a few months after it was confirmed that semi-automated offsides would be introduced to the division for the first time. As seen at UEFA EURO 2024, artificial intelligence will be used to create a definitive silhouette of a potential offender, as well as the last defender.

Improved speed, accuracy and clarity are being promised ahead of the upcoming campaign as the Premier League aims to stamp out frustrations over VAR. Wolves tabled a motion to remove the technology altogether toward the tail-end of last season but failed, losing 19-1 in the vote at the annual general meeting.