Video Assistant Referees just 6/4 to be in Prem after 2018 World Cup
Premier League referees could be set to receive a helping hand in the form of Video Assistants by as early as the 2018-19 season, according to the latest odds.
Antoine Griezmann played an unfortunate part in a history-making moment in football last night in France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain.
Peeling away from his defender in the box, the Atletico Madrid man thought he’d headed in the game’s opener. So did the linesman, for that matter.
But the referee wasn’t so sure and so he referred to the eye in the sky to help make the decision.
Subsequently, Griezmann’s goal was ruled out, thanks to video technology which confirmed the forward had strayed offside.
And it’s a moment which will likely change the beautiful game forever.
For better or for worse? That’s an argument for another day.
The fact of the matter is, it’s only a matter of time until this system is introduced into the Premier League.
And of course, we’ve priced up just when that day will be.
As things stand, the most likely campaign at 6/4 in which we’ll see such changes is 2018-19, which would be just after next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Failing that, 7/4 says it takes another year to reach these shores.
However, back in January, Premier League officials said they were in ‘no rush’ to introduce the system to the English game, and 3/1 says we see no change until the start of the 2020-21 season or later.
Meanwhile, those of you fancying Video Assistants to play a part in the top-flight as early as next season can get odds of 4/1.
A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “The use of Video Assistants brought about plenty of talk during the France v Spain game last night, and it’s surely only a matter of time before we see them in the Premier League.”
But what do you think? Will this new approach change the game for the better? Or can you see it having a negative impact?
Let us know in the comments section below!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing