On the eve of the new season, the Premier League has reminded its clubs and managers that public criticism of VAR undermines and damages the game, amid a six-point plan to improve the use of the technology.
Last season was surely the most controversial yet in the implementation of VAR in the top-flight, with a number of managers and clubs critical of the technology.
Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou was among the managers to call for VAR to be scrapped, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest all released prickly statements taking aim at officials and VAR following high-profile controversies.
Ahead of the new season, top-flight officials, led by chief football officer Tony Scholes and referees' chief Howard Webb, have held meetings with managers and players, actively reminding them that public criticism of VAR undermines the technology and damages the League.
There is an acceptance that officials will be criticised when incorrect decisions are made but there is frustration at the Premier League when managers appear to use criticism of VAR as a deflection tactic post-match or claim not to understand how the technology is implemented.
Nineteen of the 20 top-flight clubs voted against Wolverhampton Wanderers' proposal to scrap VAR at the end of last term.
The Premier League asked managers, captains and club officials - including chief executives, owners and sporting directors - for their feedback on VAR and used their observations to inform a six-point plan to improve its use.
Principally, VAR officials will be encouraged more than ever to follow the 'referee's call' and not change subjective decisions made on the field of play.
The six-point plan also intends to reduce delays to the game; improve fan experience, with referees to trial in-stadia announcements of decisions; improve the VAR training given to officials; increase transparency and communication over VAR decisions, including with the introduction of real-time social media posts explaining decisions; and implement an education and communications plan around the use of the technology.
The Premier League has briefed managers and players on the proposed measures and believes the majority of coaches want to keep VAR.
League officials have also reminded broadcasters and the wider media that managers would prefer to talk about football rather than refereeing decisions after feedback from coaches that post-match questioning often leads them to talk about disparagingly about VAR.
