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Premier League clubs vote against introducing VAR next season

Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will not be used in the Premier League next season after member clubs voted against its use at a shareholders' meeting on Friday.

In a statement released by the Premier League, clubs agreed to continue "advanced testing" and called for VAR "to be used more extensively in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup."

VAR has been marred by controversy during the testing phase, with complaints from managers and players compounded by fans' frustration at the decision-making process.

The length of time it takes to make a decision and the lack of information about it inside stadiums are among the issues that have arisen during testing in this season's FA Cup.

VAR will be used at the World Cup in Russia this summer after being approved by the FIFA council last month.

The Premier League's statement read: "Clubs have today agreed to continue advanced testing of Video Assistant Referees (VAR) throughout the 2018/19 season.

"The decision came after comprehensive discussions regarding the progress made in VAR trials in English football, and key learnings from the many competitions elsewhere using it.

"The Clubs recognised and are grateful for the substantial developments made by PGMOL Managing Director Mike Riley and his team.

"The Clubs agreed that advanced testing will continue to the end of season 2018/19 to make further improvements to the system, especially around communication inside the stadium and for those following at home and around the world.

"The Premier League will also be asking for VAR to be used more extensively in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in season 2018/19."

The Premier League said last month it is "open to considering new technology that assists match officials without disrupting the flow of the game."