Chief Refereeing Officer, Howard Webb, has announced that Premier League referees may soon begin explaining to stadium crowds and television audiences why they have altered their decisions after consulting the VAR monitor.
Webb disclosed this while speaking on his regular television show ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’.
This new initiative comes in a bid to enhance communication with fans Premier League.
These explanations would only occur when a referee has personally checked the pitch-side monitor, excluding VAR checks that do not lead to a change in the on-field decision. While this change still requires approval from the Premier League, it is likely to be implemented for the next season.
Webb said he hopes the move will help fans understand the VAR process and offer more clarity.
“It does need improving, doesn’t it,” Webb said when asked about the information available within the grounds.
“When you hear the clips on shows like this it makes sense what’s happening; it all becomes apparent. We’re looking at ways to improve the in-stadium experience.
“One of the things you’ll have seen maybe in FIFA tournaments, like the Women’s World Cup, is announcements from the referee once they’ve been to the screen. So we’re looking at that, we’re keeping an open mind about whether that’s something we could utilise in the Premier League.
“It would be really useful for the referee to be able to speak to all of the people in the stadium — [to explain] the rationale.”
The IFAB, the body responsible for football’s laws, initiated a successful 12-month trial in international tournaments in 2023, including the Women’s World Cup. This change was officially added to the Laws of the Game in November, allowing all leagues to opt in and implement the alteration.
Several leagues, such as Liga MX, MLS, and the Australian A League, have already adopted this policy. Initially met with skepticism at the Women’s World Cup, where referees’ explanations were often drowned out after a decision was announced, FIFA learned from these early challenges.
They reversed the process to begin with the explanation first and then announce the final decision.
However, this change might fall short of the expectations of many fans, as the IFAB remains firmly opposed to broadcasting the real-time conversations between the VAR and the on-field referee.
