This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
On November 14, 2019, the Premier League confirmed that it would be making minor changes to its Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system following talks between Premier League chiefs and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
The changes were discussed in a meeting that lasted over three hours between PGMOL chief Mike Riley and Premier League clubs.
While the Premier League confirmed that VAR is here to stay, it also announced that some changes would be made, including additional communication to fans inside stadiums regarding checks.
The aim of the changes is to improve the consistency of decisions, speed up processes, and increase communication to fans after controversy caused by the introduction of VAR into the top flight this season.
Messages such as "checking penalty" are set to be replaced with more specific messages to fans, such as "checking penalty - possible handball".
West Ham co-chairman David Gold discussed the crunch talks, stating, "No significant change, There’s not going to be any significant change. There is going to be an investigation. What I can say is that VAR is alive and kicking."
Gold also expressed his opposition to the use of pitchside monitors, saying, "I hate the idea. I hate the idea of as referee that has been running around for an hour having to run over to a pitch-side monitor. I’m absolutely against it."
