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Fans slam claim by Premier League chief that 4 out of 5 fans are in favour of keeping VAR

Fans slam a claim by Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes that 4 out of 5 fans are in favour of keeping VAR.

He said an independent survey was carried out, but where is or was this survey, who did they ask, it seems they missed the wider public but no one has a clue about it neither did they take part in it.

The Football Supporters Association write: Four out of five fans want to keep VAR? Can we see this “independent study” that, as far as we can gather, no-one knows about or has been given access to?

“All of our work on VAR since its introduction into English football has shown it is deeply, deeply unpopular with matchgoing fans.

“Supporters’ concerns about VAR and its impact on the matchday experience have to be taken seriously – statements like this, that make the PL appear to be in denial, aren’t helpful.”

This also led to the BBC doing a poll, with most of the 5,000 fans and counting saying they’re not in favour of keeping VAR.

The Premier League’s Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes told Dan Roan: “It’s not perfect. It will never be perfect. It can be improved, though. And our job with Premier League and PGMOL, our job is to improve it as far as we possibly can.”

Dan: “So tell us, how are you going to improve it? How is it going to be better? What assurances can you give those fans, many of whom would like to see it gone, frankly?”

Tony: “Well, I’ll deal with the first point. First, four out of five want to keep VAR. That’s based on our independent surveys. Now, what that does say, of course, though, is one in five would get rid of it, and that’s a big minority.’

Dan: “The Football Supporters Association don’t think it’s four in five that want to keep it. It’s very different figures. But anyway.”

Tony: “No, no, no. That’s an independent survey that we commissioned. So four out of five. But we also keep in mind the one in five, we want to get rid of it. And they’re the ones that we hear in the stadium. And also, out of the four and five, most of them say, but you need to improve it.”

“So the improvement side of it, we put together a six point plan that we had approved by clubs as well. We’ve been out to every squad over the last couple of weeks and gone through this plan, gone through it with the managers as well.

“And to a degree, it’s collective. We all need to buy into it. We need to recognise the faults of the past and try and correct them.

“First and foremost, I think there was an illusion of perfection, that when VAR was brought in, everyone thought it would solve all issues, all disagreements around refereeing decisions.

“That will never happen. Refereeing is subjective. Art, science to a degree, but an art as well.

“And so there will always be disagreements on it.

“So we need to ensure people understand that, that VAR won’t achieve perfection, but we also need to provide clarity as to what it does and doesn’t do.

“The areas it can’t get involved in.

“You know, everyone thinks VAR should step in and solve anything that goes wrong.

“It can’t get involved, for example, in second yellow cards.

“So we’ve redefined when VAR should intervene…”

Dan Roan also spoke to Howard Webb: “Having gone through that process and committed to this review and these improvements, it has to be improved.”

Howard: “Right now, I think since day one, it’s continually been improved from when it first came in.

“I mean, we put a lot of steps in place to ensure that that continual improvement happens.

“There are actually less errors last year than before, but, you know, a small number of incidents live large in amendment.

“I know that, of course, focus tends to go to those rather than those situations that are dealt with properly, efficiently, etcetera. Can people feel a right to expect an improvement?

“I think so.

“I think that we want to continue continually improve as we go.

“I expect that from our people.

“I understand why people would feel that there should be continual improvement.

“Most people I speak to want to see VAR continue, but they want to see it continually improve as well.

“If that improvement means more efficiency, absolutely.

“That’s a justifiable lane.

“If that improvement means us being even better, recognising clear errors and stepping in when those happen, absolutely.

“That’s a justifiable aim.

“If it means always agreeing with the final outcome, that’s not, you know, we’re not going to be in a place where Just because you don’t agree with the final decision, VAR has failed, that’s not going to necessarily be the case.

“Unless it was a clear error that we should have stepped in on.

“As long as people understand that, understand what this thing can and can’t do, then they’ve got every right to see improvement.”

Howard also talks about Wolves proposing to scrap VAR and semi automated offside technology…

Fans slam a claim by Premier League chief that 4 out of 5 fans are in favour of keeping VAR…

@JuceeRob: Not true at all, not with match going fans.

@WomWolf93: This is an absolute lie.

@warrenallsworth: Be fascinating to see the data on who was asked. I doubt very much it’s 4 out of 5 match going fans. I’m a season ticket holder at Forest and every fan I’ve spoken to wants it scrapped.

@JFurniss_Blades: Clearly a fabricated statement. No chance for 4 out of 5 fans want to keep it – speak to any match going fans and see what they say.

@rich_mortavfc: I fail to believe 4/5 match going fans feel like this. In ground transparency must be improved beyond the farce of current arrangements. Beyond that, I’ve seen enough to suspect I’d simply prefer debating the on field decisions post match.

@wolfonthecommon: Can we see the results anywhere Dan? Seems a pretty big boast when I can’t see any evidence that real match going fans want it. If they’re looking to rebuild trust, surely they wouldn’t use “secret” reports to wash over facts

@stevep_1973: I’d love to see how many people surveyed actually go to matches regularly, and the questions asked to get that response, as no way in hell do 80% of paying fans want this any more. Many, me included, have given up STs precisely because of the impact on atmosphere VAR has created

@matthewbritten: First game of the season, hand each spectator two cards (Red No, Green Yes). At kick off, hold up cards. Very quick visual data.

@J_hanwell: Where is he getting those stats from?

@AWilsonmhealth: Prove it. Where has that stat come from? The need for perfection is ruining the game, as is the gaslighting by those who have a financial interest in keeping it in place

@AlisonLJones: Well done for challenging him on it Dan, where can we view these “independent surveys” he refers to that claims to show 4 out of 5 fans want to keep VAR. As a paying match going fan for me it’s 4 out of 5 want it gone.

@mrlouiscosta: If 80% of football fans have said they want VaR to stay then I’m the pope! Not a chance in hell this number is legit.. if it was the @premierleague would surely show us the results?? 🙄. Pie in the sky numbers. GET RID!!

@LukeJov: How many fans were surveyed? Did they hand pick them?

@matt_lockley: 4 out of 5 fans want to keep it? How do they know? I don’t remember any survey of match going fans or any other fans for that matter. Can’t throw out stats with no evidence to back it up. Get them to get it right and not be blinded by certain club badges.

@jaymeeteewhu98: I honestly haven’t come across (certainly friends) that are actually in favour of keeping VAR. All 20 clubs were given the option to scrap it and voted to keep it, other than Wolves. I can’t imagine this being true at all. Like to see proof of this though.

@StevenCross81: Who’ve they surveyed? 😂

@TylerJack96: 4 out of 5? I’m yet to speak to a single football fan who thinks it should be kept in. Funny that.

@Gregill86: Bullshit! 4 out of 5 fans??? Can’t be match going fans as I reckon 90% maybe higher can’t stand VAR!

@cassie2195: And which fans did you ask in this ‘independent survey’? I imagine it was fans of big 6 teams that have never been to a game in their life. The vast majority of match going fans want it gone.

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