Club news

Var At The Amex

06 June 2019

Premier League clubs were yesterday given an update on plans for the introduction of VAR next season.

Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom and chief executive & deputy chairman Paul Barber attended the annual shareholders’ meeting in Harrogate, where information about the technology was revealed.

An emphasis will be put on in-stadium communications to help fans understand decision-making, particularly when there is a clear delay to the match because of VAR, or when refereeing decisions are overturned following a review.

Graphics will be displayed on the big screens at the Amex to explain any VAR-related decisions, while the VAR will also have the option to display video replays on the screens if it definitively clarifies an over-turned decision.

In addition, the Premier League is investigating the possibility of messages and video clips being viewed on handheld devices via an app.

The Amex hosted the first usage of VAR in English football for Albion’s FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace in January 2018.

The VAR can only intervene on “clear and obvious errors” or “serious missed incidents” relating to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity.