PREMIER League clubs have voted in favour of keeping VAR ahead of the 2024/25 season following discussions at the Annual General Meeting.

It is understood that Wolves were the only side to vote in favour of scrapping VAR, with all 19 other Premier League clubs expressing their desire to retain VAR.

A statement from the Premier League added: "While VAR produces more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvement should be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.

"As part of thorough discussions at the Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that PGMOL, the Premier League and clubs all have important roles to play in improving the system and its reputation.

"As part of ongoing work to improve CAR, six key areas were focussed on as part of discussions with clubs."

Those key areas:

  • Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention.
  • Reducing delays during a game
  • Improving the experience for fans
  • Better training for officials to improve consistency and speed of decisions
  • Increasing transparency and communication around VAR
  • Delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign

In order to improve the experience for fans during VAR checks, the statement adds their intention to add in-stadium announcements and enhance big-screen replays for all VAR interventions.

Southampton did not have to deal with VAR during their promotion-winning Championship campaign until the playoff final against Leeds United at Wembley Stadium.

It was confirmed in April that Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be introduced in the autumn of 2024.

The statement concludes: "The technology will provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters."