Aston Villa and Wolves set for VAR reprieve as Premier League 'in talks' over major change
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has confirmed a major Premier League VAR change could soon be implemented.
The Premier League is discussing introducing a major VAR change that would see referees use stadium PA systems to explain overturned decisions to spectators.
Greater officiating transparency has long been in order in the English top flight with supporters up and down the nation often confused by on-field calls. Fans also get wound up by the time it takes for decisions to be made, often several minutes.
The introduction of semi-automated offsides from the start of the 2024/25 campaign should speed things up but the sense of bemusement still exists for fans. With this in mind, PGMOL chief and former Premier League referee Howard Webb has made a suggestion.
"It does need improving, doesn’t it? When you hear the clips on shows like this it makes sense what’s happening, it all becomes apparent,” Webb said on this week’s episode of Premier League series Mic’d Up.
"You'll hear the referee, Andy Madley, having been to the screen saying, "I'm going to speak to Lewis Dunk to explain why the penalty that he feels he should have isn't going to happen because he's fouled [Yoane] Wissa before that.
"We're looking at ways to improve the in-stadium experience. One of the things you'll have seen maybe in FIFA tournaments, like the Women's World Cup, is announcements from the referee once they've been to the screen.
"So we're looking at that, we're keeping an open mind about whether that's something we could utilise in the Premier League. It would be really useful for the referee to be able to speak to all of the people in the stadium -- [to explain] the rationale,” Webb continued.
The change would be especially felt by Wolverhampton Wanderers as the Molineux side have been the receivers of several apologies from the PGMOL this season. Fans of the Old Gold - as well as the players and manager Gary O’Neil - have felt aggrieved by wrongful VAR interventions.
Aston Villa haven’t felt as resentful to VAR his term but the impact of better transparency would still be felt.