Premier League issues new recommendation to improve VAR offside calls

FOOTBALL Premier League issues new recommendation to improve VAR offside calls

Mark Kinyanjui 16:00 - 19.04.2023

The recommendation aims at improving VAR's offside calls in future English Premier League games.

Premier League has recommended adding four additional cameras just outside each penalty area to improve the accuracy of making VAR offside calls for next season’s league games.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the recommendation was made in order to improve the accuracy of the Hawk-Eye system. 

Since Premier League started using VAR at the start of the 2019-20 league season, the system has made many calls that have divided fans, especially with subjective decisions such as handballs and fouls.

However, offside decisions have been easier to implement, with the major debate surrounding the offside law itself, particularly whether a toe or shoulder is enough for goals to be ruled out.

Trials of FIFA’s semi-automated offside system which was used at the World Cup are also likely to be considered.  The system has been used in the Champions League and some domestic leagues, including the Serie A.

The recommendation will only need approval from 14 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs in order to take effect,