Spurs fans overwhelmingly want to see VAR as it is currently set up, scrapped.
A poll of almost 2,000 people by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust revealed huge concerns with the Video Assistant Referee officiating system.
A total of 92 per cent voted in favour of scrapping VAR as it is currently used in the Premier League.
However, 56 per cent of those Spurs fans voting would be happy to support the use of VAR if it was restricted to semi-automated offside decisions and nothing else. Adopting semi-automated offside technology is clearly seen as a step forward with 71 per cent voting in favour of its introduction if VAR stays.
On the basis that VAR did remain, a more transparent system would be preferred with 87 per cent of those voting saying they would like to hear referees explain the outcome via a microphone during games.
Finally, 52 per cent voted in favour of ending the use of VAR regardless of further improvements illustrating that, although supporters clearly want VAR in its current incarnation in the Premier League scrapped, 48 per cent would be open to seeing it remain if improvements were made.
The findings of this poll have been shared with the Club ahead of next month’s Premier League AGM and the vote on VAR.
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Highlighted comments made by Spurs supporters completing the poll include:
‘VAR is killing our enjoyment of the game; spontaneous goal celebrations are a thing of the past’
‘Let referees do their job. Let fans celebrate goals’
‘Offside used to give the benefit of the doubt to the attacking side, now we see players deemed offside by millimetres. This is a backward step. Nobody in the game wants that – players, managers or fans so why are we doing this?’
‘There is no benefit, all it does is ruin football’
‘Vote to scrap it or you are voting to kill football’
‘Keep VAR but improve the officials’
‘VAR should stay but only if they can ensure it is consistent for all clubs’
‘We need goal line technology that’s all’
‘The problem is not VAR, it is the officials. Overturn all mistakes, doesn’t matter whether they are clear and obvious’