January 30, (THEWILL) – The English Premier League is expected to be permitted to implement a new rule allowing referees to explain Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions to fans next season, according to reports. Football’s lawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), have been trialling a system over the past year where officials wear a microphone and explain calls to supporters in stadiums after a VAR review.
IFAB is anticipated to officially sanction the introduction of this process across more leagues before their general meeting in March. It would then require approval from EPL clubs at their annual meeting in June to bring it to England’s top division from the 2024/2025 campaign onwards.
The system has already been tested by English referee Anthony Taylor at the 2023 Club World Cup, before being extended to other major international tournaments. It allows the referee to clarify the outcome of a VAR review via speakers in the stadium while keeping the conversations between officials private.
EPL referees chief Howard Webb has previously expressed a strong desire to enhance transparency around VAR and make the technology more understandable for match-going supporters. This new rule would be a major step towards that goal if implemented next season as expected.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
