VAR powers 'could increase' in decision that would impact Aston Villa, Wolves and rivals

FIFA are reportedly considering expanding the powers of VAR over football games. Should their proposed rule changes become active, VAR could be used to decide the outcome of contentious free-kicks, corners and yellow cards.

Currently, VAR is only used to help make decisions on penalties, red cards and goals. This, however, would see its use become much more frequent in the future and would have a direct impact on Aston Villa, Wolves and their other Premier League rivals.

The IFAB (International Football Association Board) will meet this week - the subject of VAR is expected to dominate the agenda. Following this, we will see if they plan to expand VAR's reach or not. While FIFA has control over VAR protocols, any changes they make to its usage must be cleared through IFAB first.

On the potential changes to how VAR is implemented, FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham said: "I know that is [VAR changes] something we will discuss in the IFAB. We would be really reluctant to have a game that was stopped a lot more than it currently is but that will be a proper discussion."

Should VAR be given more power over decisions in the Premier League?

VAR has been heavily derided by fans and pundits alike ever since it was introduced in 2019. Calls for it to be scrapped have only grown louder and louder as time has progressed - and they are falling on ever-deafened ears. It has failed to achieve its sole aim - eliminating errant decisions - and slows down the pace of games to a crawl whenever it is required.

By giving it the power to tackle free-kicks, corners and yellow cards, these mind-numbing pauses will become increasingly common - and more infuriating. In 2023, a YouGov survey indicated that 49% of football fans in England said that they felt VAR had 'worked badly'. Discontent towards the system has been ongoing for years, though fans' opinion on the system has somewhat improved over the last three years.

While expanding VAR's influence would allow for the rules to be observed more faithfully (in theory), to pause the game so frequently in order to maintain integrity would likely do more harm than good to the overall enjoyment of Premier League football.

Following their controversial loss to Fulham on Monday night, Wolves boss Gary O'Neil hit out at the implementation of the technology. He said: “I don’t think it’s helped the game, I think the ref would have done a better job on his own. I don’t think VAR helped him but in fact it hindered him.

“Sending him to the screen for one and not to the other, not advising him there is a headbutt or that Tim Ream should receive a red card. What is the point in VAR? They said they got the Harry Wilson one right (last penalty decision). There’s minimal contact and I don’t think there’s enough.”