Fans say ‘let the chaos begin’ as Premier League confirms huge change to VAR in 2024-25 season

A MAJOR change to VAR has been announced ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Fans will now be able to access updates from Stockley Park throughout each match, explaining the decisions made by VAR officials.

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The updates will be provided on Premier League Match Centre, a brand-new X account.

An official statement from the Premier League on Tuesday read: “The Premier League has launched a new X account @PLMatchCentre ahead of the start of the 2024/25 season.

“For the first time, the social media account will provide near-live explainers and updates on operational and officiating matters for every Premier League match.

“The account will post factual explanations of on-pitch refereeing decisions and the involvement of the video assistant referee (VAR) including the role of technology in the decision-making process.

“In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game.

“Premier League Match Centre – based at Stockley Park – is the operational hub of the League that helps with the smooth running of matchday operations of the competition.

“It is linked into all 20 Premier League stadiums, the VAR Hub and broadcast partners around the world.”

The new feature aims to give fans more transparency in the VAR decision making process.

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There have been a number of controversial incidents linked with VAR since it was introduced to the Premier League ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Last season, Nottingham Forest sparked a storm after criticising officials on social media.

The Reds claimed three “poor decisions” went against them during a match against Everton.

Managers such as Gary O’Neil and Mikel Arteta have also been critical.

Many fans are pleased with the new feature, with one person taking to social media to write: “Few years too late. But progress is progress…”

Another commented: “Finally! This is a big step forward.”

A third joked: “Let the chaos begin. This should be fun.”

While another person was torn, writing: “This could end really well or really badly.”

The new Premier League season kicks off this weekend with Manchester United vs Fulham on Friday.

VAR: The great debate

Martin Lipton’s pro VAR view

FAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.

After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.

A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.

And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.

Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.
It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.

But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”

Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you.

Dan King’s anti VAR view

THREE cheers and a hearty slap on the back for Wolves chairman Jeff Shi.

For mentioning the unmentionable,  for speaking commonsense to deaf ears, for proposing that VAR should be scrapped.

Shi is doomed to failure. His suggestion is unlikely to even go to a vote at next month’s Premier League AGM.

And if it does get that far, it has a cat in hell’s chance of receiving the two-thirds majority required to carry such a radical proposal.
But in one statement on Wednesday, Shi proved that he will be the brightest man in that meeting room.

He claimed VAR ‘has led to numerous unintended negative consequences that are damaging the relationship between fans and football, and undermining the value of the Premier League brand’.

And he is absolutely spot on.

The argument against VAR is wide-ranging and yet completely basic.

If you believe that football is a sport, to be enjoyed in all its spontaneous, high-tempo glory, then you are against VAR.

If you believe that football is a business, that it is far more important than a mere game, that forensic evidence must be applied, that we must reach the closest point to ultimate justice at all costs — and if you also believe that match-going supporters are irrelevant — then you are in favour of VAR.