Premier League fans may soon witness their desire for a change in the current VAR system fulfilled, as reports suggest a potential abandonment, although it could be succeeded by a system remarkably similar.
Hawk-Eye has overseen goal-line technology since 2013, extending their contract with the league before the 2019/20 season, coinciding with the introduction of VAR.
This contract is slated to conclude after the 2024/25 season, and speculation indicates that rival companies might secure the Premier League deal.
These competitors offer technology more aligned with applications in tennis and cricket, contributing to the global fame of their brands.
According to the Daily Mail, there is an acknowledged difficulty in implementing the VAR system effectively, leading to potential alternatives being explored. Rival data companies and technology providers are reportedly preparing pitches for consideration when the current contract concludes.
The decision-making process has been marred by extended delays, and there have been instances of incorrect utilization by officials, particularly in the placement of offside lines.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou expressed his discontent with the system following five disallowed goals in a match against Chelsea, viewing it as a challenge to the authority of referees, who collaborate with a colleague stationed behind a screen at Stockley Park.
He emphasized the need to either accept decisions or face continuous complaints and detailed scrutiny of each decision.
Opinions among football pundits and former players are divided on VAR, with some advocating for its retention in an altered format. Gary Lineker, on The Rest Is Football podcast, suggested that most fans, especially those attending matches, might prefer to do away with VAR.
While acknowledging its potential benefits, he expressed frustration with its occasional mistakes. Micah Richards, on the other hand, voiced a preference for scrapping VAR entirely, maintaining goal-line technology but considering VAR as nonsensical, particularly in its current form.