EFL clubs oppose introduction of VAR challenge system in the Championship
There will continue to be no VAR in the EFL next season, just goal-line technology in the Championship; the PGMO presented an idea of a challenge system involving VAR and demonstrated it to EFL clubs, who have opposed the idea
Tuesday 21 April 2026 19:02, UK
EFL clubs have opposed the introduction of a VAR challenge system for managers in the Championship.
Sky Sports News understands the idea was proposed by PGMO, which is English football's refereeing governing body.
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EFL clubs were given a demonstration of how it would work at last month's annual meeting and provided their feedback.
As a result, there will continue to be no VAR in the EFL next season, just goal-line technology in the Championship.
VAR currently unpopular in the Premier League - but powers extended
VAR is set to continue in the Premier League, despite a recent survey showing its current unpopularity.
At the end of March, the Football Supporters' Association held a survey for 8,000 fans of the 20 Premier League clubs.
75 per cent of the fans said they were against the use of VAR, while 90 per cent disagreed that the introduction of VAR in the Premier League has improved the matchday experience.
91 per cent of fans said VAR has harmed the spontaneity of goal celebrations, while 94 per cent disagreed that VAR makes watching football on television more enjoyable.
All the while, VAR's powers have been extended by football's lawmakers.
Using VAR to check corners will be an option for competitions from this summer, while the core VAR protocol has now been widened to cover second yellow cards.
Lawmakers are adamant that VAR checks on corners must not delay the kick being taken and will only be used to spot obvious errors. Corner-kick checks will be an option, rather than a mandatory part of the VAR protocol.
VARs will also only check incorrectly-awarded second yellow cards. They will not advise referees to issue a second yellow card where one was not shown on the field.
