The Video assistant referee (VAR ) is here to stay, this is after the Premier League voted to Keep the technology.

Despite widespread and persistent criticism of its implementation, of VAR the English clubs voted 19-1 in its favour.

Wolves who called for the only club that voted in favour of scrapping off the technology.

But in light of the vote, the Premier League, its clubs and the referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) acknowledged that improvements were needed for the benefit of the game and supporters.

The Premier League is hoping several changes for next season, 2024/25, will improve the use of the technology.

This includes the introduction of semi-automated offside technology along with in-stadium announcements – where an on-field decision is changed following the intervention of VAR.

Changes to be implemented on VAR starting next season

1) Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and fewer interruptions to the flow of the game.

2) Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.

3) Enhancing the fan experience by reducing delays, having in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and, where possible, offering an enhanced selection of big screen replays to include all VAR interventions.

4) Collaborating with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.

5) Boosting transparency and communication around VAR including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as Match Officials Mic’d Up.

6) Launching a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will aim to further clarify VAR’s role in the game to participants and supporters.”

VAR was introduced in 2019 to help support on-field officials with key match decisions, but there have been a number of controversial incidents involving the technology this season.

One of the most high-profile mistakes to date is Luis Diaz’s goal that was incorrectly disallowed for offside for Liverpool at Tottenham in October.

The Premier League said the incident highlighted “systemic weaknesses in the VAR process” and that “key learnings and immediate actions” were taken.