Premier League clubs are set to be consulted on a significant potential change to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, with a proposal to introduce checks for corner kick awards from the start of the next season. This development follows a new option provided by football's global lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which has given competitions the green light to implement such checks this summer, provided they do not cause undue delays to the flow of the game.
IFAB Approval and World Cup Implementation
The IFAB has authorised the use of VAR for corner kick decisions, a change that will be adopted for the upcoming World Cup in North America. However, the Premier League must still decide independently on its domestic application. Clubs were briefed on these potential law changes by the league's director of football, Tony Scholes, at a meeting on Thursday, with a survey now expected to be distributed to gather their views and opinions on the matter.
UEFA's Push for Consistency
This move comes as UEFA prepares to convene with the Premier League and other major European divisions this summer, aiming to establish a unified approach to VAR interpretation across the continent. There is a clear determination within UEFA to align how the VAR protocol is understood and applied, with discussions on a more consistent approach planned after the World Cup concludes.
Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's referees chief, expressed concerns last month that VAR was drifting from its original purpose of correcting "clear and obvious" errors, becoming overly "microscopic" in its interventions. He stated: "I believe we need to, at the end of the season, speak about this, because we cannot go in this direction of microscopic VAR intervention." Rosetti added emphatically: "We love football like it is."
Addressing Interpretation Differences
Highlighting the issue of differing interpretations, such as with contentious handball decisions, Rosetti emphasised the urgent need for greater consistency. "I believe that in Europe, we must speak only one technical language. For us, this is the target. We cannot speak different technical languages across Europe. It's not good," he said. "We need only one technical interpretation. We are speaking a lot. We were speaking a lot before the season – we need to speak again."
Current VAR Statistics and Comparisons
As of mid-February, the Premier League recorded an average of 0.15 on-field VAR reviews per game this season. This figure compares favourably to the 0.36 seen in the Champions League, indicating a relatively lower frequency of interventions in English top-flight matches. The proposed expansion to corner kicks could potentially alter these statistics, depending on the outcome of the club survey and subsequent implementation decisions.
The consultation process marks a critical step in the ongoing evolution of VAR technology in football, balancing technological assistance with the preservation of the game's traditional flow and spirit. Clubs' responses will shape whether corner kick checks become a standard feature in Premier League matches from next season onwards.
