The Premier League has confirmed that a huge decision has been made regarding video assistant referees (VAR) in the division.
In the 2023/24 campaign, VAR came under serious scrutiny following an array of controversial officiating decisions.
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The eventually led to Wolverhampton Wanderers launching a bid to have VAR scrapped in the 2024/25 season.
However, the club's attempts to do away with the technology have not gone the way they wanted.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the Premier League announced that 19 of the 20 teams in the top flight had voted against scrapping VAR at an annual general meeting.
"Premier League clubs today voted in favour of continuing to operate VAR in the Premier League," the league confirmed via its official website.
"While VAR produces more accurate decision-making, it was agreed that improvements should be made for the benefit of the game and supporters.
"As part of thorough discussions at the Annual General Meeting, it was agreed that PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited], the Premier League and clubs all have important roles to play in improving the system and its reputation."
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As part of ongoing work to improve VAR, the Premier League also outlined six key areas that were a focal point in discussions during the meeting. These were:
"1. Maintaining a high threshold for VAR intervention to deliver greater consistency and less interruptions to the flow of the game.
"2. Reducing delays to the game, primarily through the introduction of semi-automated offside technology and the maintained high threshold for VAR intervention.
"3. Improving fan experience through a reduction in the delays, in-stadium announcements from referees after a post-VAR change of decision and, where possible, an enhanced offering of big-screen replays to include all VAR interventions.
"4. Working with PGMOL on the implementation of more robust VAR training to improve consistency, including an emphasis on speed of process while preserving accuracy.
"5. Increasing transparency and communication around VAR – including expanded communications from Premier League Match Centre and through broadcast programming such as 'Match Officials Mic'd Up'.
"6. The delivery of a fan and stakeholder VAR communication campaign, which will seek to further clarify VAR's role in the game to participants and supporters."
Furthermore, Semi-Automated Offside Technology will be introduced from next season, with the technology set to "provide quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking, and will produce high-quality broadcast graphics to ensure an enhanced in-stadium and broadcast experience for supporters."
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In response to the decision, Wolves said in a statement: "While we are disappointed with the outcome of the vote on the future of VAR at today's Annual General Meeting, we acknowledge and accept the decision made by our fellow clubs and we are reassured that the Premier League is taking the concerns of clubs and supporters seriously."
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