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Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
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Premier League to Explain VAR Decisions on Social Media During Matches 

Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)
Liverpool's Conor Bradley, front, controls the ball during the English League Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool in London, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP)

The Premier League hopes to reduce frustration with the VAR system with the launch of a social media account that will provide near real-time updates and explanations regarding officiating and operational decisions for every match.

Teams voted in favor of keeping VAR in June despite huge amounts of criticism about the technology-aided officiating system last season, with Wolverhampton Wanderers initiating a petition to scrap it.

"In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League Match Centre will be able to relay on social media near-live information from the VAR Hub during a game," the league said in a statement on Tuesday.

In addition to posting refereeing decisions, the X account, @PLMatchCentre, will also provide insights directly from the VAR hub and refereeing experts with the aim of bringing transparency, the league said.

Experts from PGMOL, the league’s officiating body, will also clarify the laws of the game and provide additional information and updates on the VAR decision-making processes when necessary.

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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Swiatek Surprised at ‘Such Harsh Judgements’ After Indian Wells Ball Boy Incident 

Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)
Iga Swiatek of Poland shows her frustration to the umpire during her three-set defeat against Mirra Andreeva in their semi-final round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

World number two Iga Swiatek said she was not proud of the way she vented her frustration at Indian Wells, where she nearly hit a ball boy after smashing a ball into the ground, but added that she did not expect to receive "such harsh judgements".

The five-times Grand Slam champion was criticized heavily over the incident, which occurred during her 7-6(1) 1-6 6-3 semi-final defeat by eventual champion Mirra Andreeva on Friday.

"It's true - I expressed frustration in a way I'm not proud of. My intention was never to aim the ball at anyone but merely to release my frustration by bouncing it on the ground," Swiatek posted on Instagram on Monday.

"I immediately apologized to the ball boy, we made eye contact, and nodded to each other when I expressed regret that it happened near him.

"I've seen many players bounce balls in frustration, and frankly, I didn't expect such harsh judgements."

Swiatek added that the second half of last year was extremely challenging for her. She accepted a one-month suspension in November having tested positive for banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ).

"When I'm highly focused and don't show many emotions on court, I'm called a robot, my attitude labelled as inhuman. Now that I'm more expressive, showing feelings or struggling internally, I'm suddenly labelled immature or hysterical," Swiatek said.

"That's not a healthy standard - especially considering that just six months ago, I felt my career was hanging by a thread, spent three weeks crying daily, and didn't want to step on the court."