adminChief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has outlined how VAR will function in the 2026/27 Premier League season, as the competition prepares for another year with the technology in place.
Sunderland experienced the full force of VAR during their Premier League return last season, and now face another test as they kick off the new campaign away to Ipswich Town this weekend.
In a push for greater transparency following a series of contentious calls last year, the Premier League has confirmed it will publish Key Match Incidents Panel rulings and VAR decisions throughout the season. For the first time, RefCam footage and audio from on-field officials speaking with players will also be broadcast. Additionally, the BBC reports that selected direct quotes from referees and VARs will be posted on the league’s website, official app, and Match Centre X account.
Nevertheless, VAR remains a divisive issue since its 2019 introduction, and Webb has moved to clarify how it will be applied in the upcoming season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Premier League and FIFA referee said: “Our preference is to use a light-touch approach with VAR, reserving it for clear and obvious errors that lead to a genuine injustice needing correction. I believe many in football are moving in that direction. I recently met with UEFA colleagues, and it’s evident that they and other European governing bodies—and likely beyond—share that view.
“When used properly, VAR is excellent for fixing clear mistakes with minimal disruption. As a referee, I would have appreciated the chance to correct obvious errors I made during games—ones that had a real impact and that I had to carry—and increasingly, we’re seeing VAR used exactly that way. That will certainly be our focus for the season ahead.”
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