The Premier League is set to maintain the current scope of video assistant referee (VAR) usage next season, following consultations with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). While the International Football Association Board (Ifab) approved a regulation change in February allowing VAR officials to review additional decisions—including the awarding of corners and second yellow cards—this expansion will remain optional for individual leagues. The Premier League clubs will consider the proposal at their upcoming annual general meeting, but PGMO has recommended against any extension of VAR’s remit.

If adopted, the new powers would permit referees to refer more incidents to the VAR, a system already employed to review key moments such as goals, penalties, and red cards. FIFA requested the broader application for the recent World Cup, where it was implemented, but Ifab left it to leagues and competitions to decide whether to introduce the changes.

PGMO cited concerns that increasing VAR’s responsibilities to include corners and additional disciplinary actions could lengthen matches significantly. Extended stoppages could disrupt the flow of games, potentially alienating broadcast partners and increasing pressure on match officials. Sources close to the discussions also indicated there is limited appetite among Premier League clubs to challenge PGMO’s advice and risk the additional operational complexities that expanded VAR duties would entail.

While individual corners rarely prove decisive in the course of the 38-match season, some recent high-profile VAR decisions have had a notable impact on outcomes. One example occurred on Sunday when referee Chris Kavanagh, supported by VAR official Darren England, ruled out a stoppage-time equaliser by Callum Wilson for West Ham in a Premier League match against Arsenal. The disallowed goal hinged on a free-kick awarded for contact between West Ham’s Pablo Fornals and Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, a decision that could influence the title race and relegation battles.

West Ham has confirmed it plans to file a formal complaint over the incident but acknowledges that it is unlikely to alter the result. The episode highlights the continued complexities and controversies surrounding VAR’s role in top-flight football.

Overall, the Premier League appears poised to prioritize match continuity and operational stability over the potential benefits of further VAR intervention when making its final decision next month.