EFL clubs reject chance to use VAR challenge system in Championship next season

English Football League clubs have rejected the chance to use a video assistant referee challenge system in the Championship next season.

A demonstration of Football Video Support – a version of VAR which is used in other sports – was presented by Professional Game Match Officials at the EFL’s annual meeting in March.

However, the Press Association has been told that the introduction of the system was opposed by the majority of clubs following a subsequent EFL survey.

It is understood goal-line technology will continue to be used in the Championship next season and could be extended to League One, pending a vote on fully costed proposals in June.

VAR was introduced to the Premier League in 2019, but a recent survey by the Football Supporters’ Association discovered that three-quarters of top-flight fans are against its use.

The results demonstrated just how unpopular it has become, with more than 97 per cent of respondents opposing the statement that VAR makes watching football more enjoyable, while more than 90 per cent disagreed that it has made the matchgoing experience better.

Asked if they support the use of VAR in football, meanwhile, 75.71 per cent said they do not, with more than 70 per cent disagreeing that it has improved the overall accuracy of refereeing decisions. More than 90 per cent also believe the technology has removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.