In parallel with supporters’ trusts at other Premier League clubs, MUST conducted a survey of Manchester United fans’ views on VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology. For these sorts of issues it is our role to consult and accurately reflect the views of supporters to the club and authorities. We were massively assisted in that role on this occasion as the club agreed to circulate the MUST survey to all Season Ticket Holders, Exec Ticket Holders and Cup Season Ticket Holders. So in addition to our normal reach, which is already pretty wide, we know every regular matchgoing fan (those who are most directly impacted by the VAR policy) received an invitation to give their views. And over 16,226 chose to do so in total.
This is a great sign of the club being prepared to listen to the voices of supporters, although we’re under no illusions that the views of fans are the only ones they will consider. Clearly, and quite rightly, the view of “the football department” at Old Trafford will be a key voice too – perhaps the primary one. But what we know is they will have heard fans’ views, and the level of opposition to VAR, as well as what should be the priorities for reform, in the event that the clubs do not vote to abolish it.
We are sending a media statement out today which you can read here
That statement starts as follows:
UNITED FANS NEAR-UNANIMOUS IN CALL FOR CHANGE ON VAR
- 16,226 FANS RESPONDED TO SURVEY – FEWER THAN 1% BACK KEEPING VAR AS IT IS
- JUST OVER HALF BACK COMPLETE ABOLITION
- MUST CALL FOR THE CLUBS AND LEAGUE TO LISTEN TO FANS BEFORE 6 JUNE VOTE
The VAR survey conducted by MUST received 16,226 responses and has near-unanimously (99.4%) called for change on VAR with fewer than 1% supporting keeping the current system. The survey has been carried out in advance of the vote on 6 June on whether to keep VAR in the Premier League and we will feed back views to the club as well as publishing to our members and the media. It is notable that there was also very strong support for reform of VAR to address its shortcomings and that could be key in the event that Premier Clubs voted to keep VAR.
Read the full statement here.
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