10 November 2023 , 07:20
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The Premier League are considering replacing Hawk-Eye as their VAR operator after a rising number of complaints from managers.
The system has come in for heavy criticism in recent weeks, particularly from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in the wake of his side's defeat to Newcastle. Further errors were made in Wolves ' defeat to Sheffield United, with refereeing chief Howard Webb meeting Gary O'Neil in response.
While a judgement handed down on Thursday stated the decision to award Newcastle's winner against the Gunners was correct, changes are being planned. The main change is expected to be over the operators of the cameras that deliver the VAR replays.
According to the Daily Mail, Hawk-Eye's contract with the Premier League expires at the end of next season. At that point, league bosses could look to move away from the company who have operated the system since VAR's inception.
Rival technology and data companies are said to be planning to bid for the new contract when the current one expires. Hawk-Eye also operate the goal-line technology system which has proved to be a major success, aside from Sheffield United's infamous 'ghost goal' at Aston Villa during Project Restart.
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Their current contract with the Premier League was signed when VAR was introduced at the start of the 2019/2020 campaign. While they are regarded as a world leaders in similar VAR systems in cricket and tennis, it is said there is an 'acceptance' that their transition to football has been challenging.
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The Premier League are considering bringing in a new operator of the VAR system (Getty Images)The news of potential changes will likely be welcomed by Arteta, who has been vocal in his criticism this week. He launched a furious rant after Saturday's game at St James' Park, before Arsenal themselves released an explosive club statement the next day.
Arteta followed up those comments by speaking extensively about his problems with VAR in the build-up to Arsenal's win over Sevilla in the Champions League earlier this week.
"It is my duty to stand in front of you, to stand in front of the cameras and give a very clear and honest assessment of what happens in the game. This is what I did, reflect very openly how I felt that the team played and how they game was conditioned by this result with the decisions that were made," he said.
"Some things don’t happen overnight. When it was that clear and I had all the evidence for the words that I used in the media, it’s because I feel strongly about them. I would do it and the club would do it again and again until this is right.
"We have a duty to express how we feel with all the evidence that we have and the history of what happened. I think we have to really stand for our people, our values and who we are. We all want the same, but we have to understand that it has to be there.
"Errors are part of an evolution. Rhere are always bumps along the road and maybe these things are very necessary to happen to improve the game in the right way, that's it. But we have to talk loudly, if we have a problem, let's talk about this, let's try to improve it in a very constructive way, that's it, that's what we are trying to do, nothing else."