Man United legends Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Andy Cole ALL call for VAR to be scrapped with Premier League vote coming up after Wolves proposal

Teams will hold a vote at their annual general meeting in Harrogate next monthWolves have been on the wrong-end of a number of controversial VAR calls Manchester United should play at Wembley for two years, tear down Old Trafford and build a Tottenham-esque stadium - Listen to It's All Kicking Off! podcast 

Former Manchester United stars Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Andy Cole were unified in their desire to see Wolves' motion to scrap VAR next season succeed.

Gary O'Neil's side, who have been on the wrong end of several decisions this season, submitted the resolution to bin the highly controversial system that was introduced in 2019.

The proposal will be put to clubs at the AGM in Harrogate on June 6, and would need 14 votes (out of 20) to go through.

Despite Premier League sources saying the competition will oppose the move and they are confident that they have enough backing to block it, the three Sky Sports pundits revealed their wish to see VAR resigned to history.

'I’ve been involved in it and I don’t like VAR.' Rooney said ahead of United's clash against Newcastle. 'If its fair and they get all the decisions right then fair enough but it’s taken all the enjoyment out of the game.'

The proposal is said to have been put forward by Wolves who have had a number of VAR decisions go against them during the 2023-24 season

The proposal is said to have been put forward by Wolves who have had a number of VAR decisions go against them during the 2023-24 season

Man United legends (L-R) Andy Cole, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney were in agreement that VAR should be scrapped

Man United legends (L-R) Andy Cole, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney were in agreement that VAR should be scrapped

"It's taking all of the enjoyment out of the game" 😮

Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane and Andy Cole share their thoughts on the recent news of scrapping VAR next season ❌ pic.twitter.com/T24VxqZRF1

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2024

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'You’re a goal scorer and you’re having to wait to celebrate and the fans are having to wait to celebrate and then they’re getting decisions wrong I think you’re better off letting the referees ref it – understanding they will make mistakes – but I’d much rather see it without VAR.'

In their seismic move, Wolves agreed with Rooney's sentiment on goal celebrations. In addition, they highlighted the frustration inside grounds at a lack of feedback over lengthy decisions, and a negative atmosphere with chants against VAR and the league as reasons behind their call.

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Premier League clubs to hold vote on SCRAPPING VAR from the start of next season... after Wolves put forward the proposal following fury at multiple decisions this term

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They also claim VAR is overreaching and going beyond its original purpose to correct clear and obvious errors and is reducing the accountability of on-field officials, thanks to its ‘safety net’ factor.

Perhaps fundamentally, they also point out that the potential for human error remains and that VAR has fuelled ‘nonsensical allegations of corruption’.

Keane echoed these points in his objection to the system and claimed that analysis of games all too often returns to chatter about the officials' decisions, even more so than before VAR was introduced.

'The strange thing is we do talk more about the decisions than anything now considering this has all been there to help the officials but every weekend we’re talking about the decisions even more so back in the day when there was no VAR.' The former United skipper said.

'You know, you accept the decision, some go for you, some against. And I know there’s a difference in goalscorers offsides and red cards. And I’ve not been a fan. It does slow the game down. And it’s frustrating for the supporters, the players and for us.'

Cole added: 'I agree. It’s not my cup of tea. It’s spoiled the game. There’s been far too much controversy surrounding it when it was said that it was going to make the game better.

'For me it’s made the game worse and has taken the entertainment out of the game. I mean going the pub on a Sunday and complaining about a game in which an official has made a genuine mistake in. Now we talk about video evidence still making mistakes it doesn’t make sense.'

Wolves highlighted a lack of feedback over lengthy decisions, and a negative atmosphere in stadiums

Wolves highlighted a lack of feedback over lengthy decisions, and a negative atmosphere in stadiums

VAR official Darren England wrongly believed referee Simon Hooper's on-field decision was that Diaz was onside, before saying that the check was complete

VAR official Darren England wrongly believed referee Simon Hooper's on-field decision was that Diaz was onside, before saying that the check was complete

Top flight insiders are firm in their belief that removing VAR would increase the number of incorrect decisions. They point to semi-automated decisions and an improvement in communication inside stadiums as the future.

Last month, Sweden became the first country to reject bringing in VAR following an adverse reaction from fans.

It is understood Wolves are hoping supporters will get behind their stance and create an irresistible momentum ahead of the Yorkshire summit.

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