The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 2019/20 season was with the objective of eliminating blatant refereeing errors by identifying and correcting significant missed incidents during a football match.

While it was expected to result in more accurate and fair judgements, the English Premier League (EPL) has conceded that achieving 100% accuracy was unfeasible.

Nevertheless, the technology has faced severe scrutiny from Premier League managers who have grown sceptical of its effectiveness, primarily due to recent high-profile incidents that have taken the spotlight away from the actual game-play.

For instance, following his team’s 1-0 defeat last weekend, Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta vehemently criticized the decision to allow Newcastle’s goal to stand, denouncing it as a “disgrace.”

Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal underwent scrutiny for three different VAR offenses but managed to withstand all challenges, securing three points for Newcastle.

Arteta told Sky Sports “We didn’t deserve to lose the match. We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. A disgrace.”

Although Mikel Arteta’s remarks were delivered in the heat of the moment, the club issued a strong statement the following day, firmly backing their manager.

Arsenal said “Arsenal Football Club wholeheartedly supports Mikel Arteta’s post-match comments after yet more unacceptable refereeing and VAR errors on Saturday evening.”

The heated aftermath of the game at St James’ Park mirrored a previous VAR controversy in the high-stakes match between Tottenham and Liverpool in late September.

In that game, officials incorrectly disallowed a goal from Luis Diaz due to a miscommunication regarding the on-field decision, and Tottenham eventually emerged victorious with a 2-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) released the audio of the decision that led to the disallowed Diaz goal.

In the recording, video assistant referee Darren England initially deems the check as “perfect” but expresses frustration with a swear word when he realizes a mistake has occurred. He adds in exasperation, “They’ve restarted the game. Can’t do anything, can’t do anything.”

PGMOL admitted a “significant human error” and Liverpool issued a statement in which they said “sporting integrity” had been undermined.

“We fully accept the pressures that match officials work under but these pressures are supposed to be alleviated, not exacerbated, by the existence and implementation of VAR,” the club said.

Liverpool Manager, Jurgen Klopp even went as far as to request a replay of the game. Wolves, on the other hand, have had more significant reasons to be aggrieved, as they had faced four high-profile penalty decisions that went against them, which could have had significant implications.

Arteta remained resolute in his stance ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League match against Sevilla this week, emphasizing that it was the responsibility of managers to address the concerns related to the use of VAR.

He said “Errors are part of evolution. The trajectory is never going to be (always upwards), there are always going to be bumps in the road and these things are necessary to improve the game in the right way.

“But we have to talk loudly. If you have a problem and you put it in your drawer, the problem is in the drawer and it’s going to stink at some point.”

Chief Executive, League Managers Association, Richard Bevan, stated that coaches are eager for changes, such as the video assistant referee working consistently with the same referee each week.

Bevan told Daily Mail “PGMOL have confirmed to us that they are actively looking at how best to incorporate VARs into match-day refereeing teams, to ensure the dynamic between on-field referee and VAR is conducive to producing positive outcomes.

“The managers are also calling for a review (and simplification) of the interpretation of the term ‘clear and obvious’ in VAR decision-making, as this is a cause of much confusion at present.”

Henry Winter, The Times’ chief football writer, called on the Premier League to heed the voices of the club managers.

He said “Anyone who attends a game or watches on television knows that VAR has never been more contentious. Some grown-up debate is required. The starting point is that, love it or loathe it, VAR is here to stay.”