Premier League clubs to hold vote on SCRAPPING VAR from the start of next season… after Wolves put forward the proposal following fury at multiple decisions this term

The Premier League will vote on a proposal to abolish VAR next month, but the chances of success are described as ‘unlikely’.

A resolution to quash the highly controversial system, introduced in 2019, has been tabled by Wolves in what is a very important and potentially historic step.

The idea will be put to clubs at the AGM in Harrogate on June 6, and will require 14 votes (out of 20) to go ahead.

Premier League sources say the competition will oppose this move and they are confident they have enough support to block it.

They point to their figures, which show that the number of correct decisions has increased from 82 percent to 96 percent since the introduction of VAR. Instead, they will urge clubs to focus on improvements to the speed of the system. Semi-automated offside decisions will be introduced next season.

The proposal was submitted by Wolves, who faced a number of VAR decisions during the 2023-2024 season.

The most notable of these came when VAR failed to award a penalty to Wolves after Andre Onana collided with Sasa Kalajdzic in stoppage time of their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in August.

Either way, the Molineux-induced move is seismic. Wolves have broken ranks and believe they will be supported by fed-up fans across the country.

A club statement said the proposal came ‘after careful consideration and with the utmost respect for the Premier League, (referee body) PGMOL and our fellow competitors’.

“No blame can be placed,” it added. “We are all simply looking for the best possible outcome for football – and all stakeholders have worked hard to 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 about its future.

“Our position is that the price we pay for a small increase in accuracy goes against the spirit of our game, and as a result we must remove it from the 2024/2025 season.”

A Premier League spokesperson hit back, saying: ‘The Premier League can confirm that it will facilitate a discussion on VAR with our clubs at next month’s annual general meeting. Clubs have the right to submit proposals at shareholders’ meetings and we recognize the concerns and issues surrounding the use of VAR. However, the league fully supports the use of VAR and, together with PGMOL, remains committed to making continued improvements to the system for the benefit of the game and the fans.”

Top insiders are convinced that removing VAR would increase the number of incorrect decisions. They point to semi-automated decisions and improved communications in stadiums as the future.

Early indications are that clubs will side with the Premier League, but will use the vote as an opportunity to push for much-needed improvements to what they see as a flawed system. There will be talks between the parties on Thursday.

Mail Sport understands that a number of clubs will lobby for greater investment in VAR systems, with the specific aim of speeding up decision times.

Liverpool’s Luis Diaz controversially had a goal disallowed against Tottenham after miscommunication between pitch officials and the VAR official at Stockley Park

VAR official Darren England wrongly believed that referee Simon Hooper’s decision on the pitch was that Diaz was onside, before saying the check was complete

Nottingham Forest questioned the appointment of Stuart Attwell – who they claimed was a Luton Town fan – as VAR official during their defeat to Everton last month

Forest had three criminal cases dismissed during their defeat to Everton at Goodison Park

There is a sense that it would be self-defeating to walk away so deeply into VAR’s existence.

Wolves have highlighted the negative impact of VAR on goal celebrations, frustration on the ground over a lack of feedback on long-term decisions and a negative atmosphere with chants against VAR and the league as reasons for their call-out.

They also argue that VAR is overreaching and goes beyond its original purpose of correcting clear and obvious errors and reduces the liability of referees on the pitch, thanks to its ‘safety net’ factor.

Perhaps fundamentally, they also point out that the potential for human error remains and that VAR has fueled ‘nonsensical allegations of corruption’.

Last month, Sweden became the first country to refuse the introduction of VAR after negative reactions from fans.

It is understood Wolves will be hoping supporters will get behind their stance and create irresistible momentum ahead of the Yorkshire summit.

After being denied what they claimed were three clear-cut penalties in a match against Everton last month, Nottingham Forest posted a controversial tweet that appeared to question the integrity of VAR official Stuart Attwell.