Know all about the latest news surrounding the new VAR offside rule in the Premier League from the upcoming 2021-22 season
After abundance of criticism faced by the thin offside lines, suggesting controversy during several offside calls, the Premier League has finally did decided to act upon it.
As a result, ever since the start of the 2021-22 season in the Premier League, there would be thicker VAR Lines in a bid to deal with the hugely unpopular marginal decisions.
The thicker lines will give a bigger margin of error to the offside calls and will also aim to give the benefit of the doubt back to the attacking player, who have been largely deprived since the dawn of VAR in English top Football tier.
New VAR Offside Rule: Thicker VAR Lines In The Premier League From 2021-22 Season
PL clubs and referees hope the change will have a huge impact because many of the offside decisions given when an attackerโs toe or even armpit, is just in front of the defender will no longer be penalized.
The system is already used by other competitions such as in UEFA Competitions and in the Dutch league. One change that will result from the thicker lines is that broadcasters and TV viewers can also visibly spot difference.
This above specified decision was taken at yesterdayโs Premier League shareholders meeting. Which comes amid widespread frustration with the system from managers, players and fans with many goals chopped off for offside due to a player’s toes or armpit.
How Will Thicker VAR Lines Rectify The Substantial Errors
As mentioned earlier, these thicker lines will give a bigger margin of error to the offside calls and will give the benefit of the doubt back to the attacking player.
Prior to this decision, on several occasions mangers and players have been left frustrated in the 2020-21 season wherein even a 50-50 call used to go in favor of the defensive team.
Which not only disallowed the play, but had no logical reason behind it, to do the same.
To specify, in November, Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford said VAR was “ruining football” after he was denied a goal in their 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace because his arm was deemed to be in an offside position when he was pointing to where he wanted the ball to be played.