Posted on 20th February 2025
Refereeing: Fan reps visit PGMOL HQ
Since 2021, the FSA has been committed to dialogue between supporter representatives and refereeing organisations and last month that continued as a delegation visited PGMOL headquarters at Stockley Park.
Here FSA Premier League network manager Thomas Concannon tells us more about the event…
Back at the end of January, supporter representatives from 18 of the 20 Premier League clubs visited Stockley Park to meet with the Premier League and PGMOL to discuss several topics as a continuation of the regular dialogue between the FSA, the Premier League and PGMOL.
Supporters were first given insight into some of the statistics relating to refereeing in the Premier League, comparing the 2024-25 and 2023-24 seasons to show how certain aspects are improving, including the amount of correct on-field decisions referees are making and correct VAR interventions, as well as the time taken to come to a decision during a VAR check reducing.
Law changes in the game were also discussed, as well as semi-automated offside technology and in-stadium VAR announcements.
Looking ahead, the Premier League agreed to work closely with the FSA and supporter organisations on the regular surveys that are sent out to fans to gather views on refereeing and VAR.
In the afternoon, supporter representatives met with PGMOL’s chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, as well as match officials Stuart Attwell, Chris Kavanagh, Sian Massey-Ellis and Graham Scott. Howard spoke to supporters about how important their input was, shared his awareness of frustrations with VAR inside stadiums and the desire to continue providing more information.
“It was great to welcome the FSA and representatives of Premier League clubs to the VAR Hub as we continue to evolve our relationship and work together regarding refereeing matters across the professional game in England,” Webb said.
“We are fully committed to ongoing dialogue with The FSA and their Premier League, EFL and Women’s Game networks, widening that understanding between supporters and match officials for the benefit of the game.”
Stuart gave the group his experience of being the first referee to make an in-stadium VAR announcement during the Tottenham v Liverpool Carabao Cup semi-final. He recognised the role referees can play in helping supporters be as informed as possible in stadiums and that the best experience of VAR can be provided.
Supporters were then given an opportunity to try their hand at VAR in the VAR Hub. Supporters got to take the same seat that referees take on a matchday, acting in the role of VAR and assistant VAR. Supporters were shown a clip and had to deal with the situation as if it were live, all under the pressure of a watching crowd and even a stop-watch – let’s just say it’s not as easy as it sometimes looks, with some participants clocking up over five minutes in their attempts to reach a decision.
Supporters reiterated the importance of this experience reaching as many people as possible, utilising the roadshow experience that PGMOL offers and continuing the dialogue through the FSA.
Among the supporters’ delegation was Dom Rosso, vice-chair of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, who said: “What a truly informative day spent at Stockley Park. Having the opportunity to experience the VAR process first-hand was really educational and has allowed me to better understand the steps that the officials take in their decision-making process. It is really important that supporters are given these types of opportunities.”
The FSA have been developing the dialogue with PGMOL over the last few years, covering refereeing across the pyramid, but naturally there has been a keen focus on the Premier League with the introduction of VAR.
We are under no illusions about the views of matchgoing supporters and their frustrations with VAR and relay those regularly to the Premier League and PGMOL.
However, we are hugely appreciative of the open dialogue and honesty from both the league and PGMOL every time we meet, giving us insights which help us understand the processes, something we are keen to reach as wide an audience as possible.
