Premier League clubs to vote on scrapping VAR next month - ESPN

Wolverhampton Wanderers have lodged a motion to scrap the use of VAR in the Premier League, with a vote to be held at next month's meeting of the 20 clubs.

Wolves will need the backing of 13 other clubs at the annual general meeting June 6 to pass the resolution, which would see the video assistant referee removed from the English top flight with immediate effect. Any club has the right to submit an item to the agenda, with the league operated as a democracy.

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A statement issued by Wolves on Wednesday read: «There is no blame to be placed. We are all just looking for the best possible outcome for football and all stakeholders have been working hard to try and make the introduction of additional technology a success.

»However, after five seasons of VAR in the Premier League, it is time for a constructive and critical debate on its future.

«Our position is that the price we are paying for a small increase in accuracy is at odds with the spirit of our game, and as a result we should remove it from the 2024/25 season onwards.»

Wolves listed a number of complaints in its resolution:

— Impact on goal celebrations and the spontaneous passion that makes football special

— Frustration and confusion inside stadiums due to lengthy VAR checks and poor communication

— A more hostile atmosphere with protests, booing of the Premier League anthem and chants against VAR

— Overreach of VAR's original purpose to correct clear and obvious mistakes, now overanalysing subjective decisions and compromising the game's fluidity and integrity

— Diminished accountability of on-field officials, due to the safety net of VAR, leading to an erosion of authority on the pitch

— Continued