New Delhi: The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League has been a hot topic since its introduction back in 2018. The technology was introduced with the purpose of helping officials reach better decisions and avoid the risk of an error but the transition hasn’t been as seamless as it was expected. The implementation of the technology raised a lot of questions with quite a few decisions inviting criticism.
Fans and pundits often criticized its implementation, arguing that it disrupts the flow of the game and fails to eliminate controversial decisions. This begged the question whether the implementation of VAR actually as bad as fans are making out to be or it’s just passionate fans being reactionary to a decision that went against their team. Data from this season suggests that, while errors still occur, VAR’s accuracy has improved compared to the previous campaign.
Is VAR improving? 👀 pic.twitter.com/6CybNoKsWK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 4, 2025
According to Premier League officials, there have been 13 VAR mistakes in the first 23 rounds of matches this season. That figure represents a notable reduction from the 20 errors recorded at the same point last season. Out of the 13 mistakes, four were incorrect interventions by VAR, while nine were missed calls where VAR should have intervened but didn’t. The intervention of VAR is restricted by the rules of the league but only four incorrect decisions in 239 games being played represents a far lesser error rate than what fans think it is.
Furthermore, VAR interventions have occurred in 70 of the 239 matches so far, averaging approximately one every three games. The accuracy of Key Match Incidents (KMI) is now at 96.4%, up from 95.7% last season, indicating a gradual improvement in decision-making. Despite the statistical progress, frustrations remain among fans, players, and managers, as even a single incorrect decision can influence match results and, in extreme cases, a club’s season trajectory.
Room for improvement remains
While it is true that the number of incorrect decisions are very few in number this season but it should ideally be zero when millions worth of technology is being used for this very purpose. Every wrong decision can prove costly and have a direct impact on where a team finishes. The Premier League released the list of the four incorrect decisions that were taken by VAR which showcase that the technology remains far from perfect, with there still being a room for improvement.
1) Dango Ouattara ‘Handball’: Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle, Aug 25
The first error that the Premier League acknowledged came early in the season during Bournemouth’s home draw with Newcastle. Dango Ouattara appeared to have scored a late winner for the hosts, only for VAR to rule that he had handled the ball before heading it in. VAR deemed it a factual decision and did not send the referee to review it. However, PGMOL head and former Premier League referee, Howard Webb, later admitted that there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call, meaning the intervention was incorrect.
2) De Ligt Foul on Ings: West Ham 2-1 Manchester United, Oct 27
The next incident occurred in what proved to be Erik Ten Hag’s last match as Manchester United boss. Danny Ings won a controversial penalty after VAR advised referee David Coote to overturn his initial decision. Jarrod Bowen converted the penalty, handing West Ham the win. The next day, ten Hag was sacked as Manchester United manager on the back of a defeat to a struggling West Ham side. PGMOL chief Howard Webb later stated that VAR had wrongly intervened and that the penalty should not have been awarded.
3) Christian Norgaard Red Card: Brentford 0-0 Everton, Nov 23
Brentford’s goalless draw with Everton saw the third incorrect VAR decision as Brentford’s Christian Norgaard was shown a straight red card after VAR advised the referee to review an incident in which he caught Jordan Pickford on the knee. The midfielder was challenging for the ball and the incident was let go by the on-field referee but changed his decision on VAR’s advice. However, an independent panel later overturned the three-match suspension, confirming that the decision had been incorrect.
4) Nikola Milenkovic Disallowed Goal: Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton, Jan 19
The final decision came only recently during Nottingham Forest’s tight win over bottom placed Southampton just last month. Milenkovic thought he had scored a crucial goal to put Nottingham Forest 4-1 up, but VAR ruled that Chris Wood, who was in an offside position, had interfered with play. Wood did not touch the ball, and an independent panel later confirmed that the goal should have stood. While this didn’t change the result, it did hamper Nottingham’s goal difference, which could be a key factor in deciding who plays in Europe next season, given how tight the race is.
The Future of VAR in the Premier League
While the number of VAR mistakes has decreased, the impact of incorrect interventions remains significant. High-profile errors can alter league standings, cost managers their jobs, and even threaten officials’ safety. The Premier League has yet to disclose the nine missed VAR interventions, leaving fans questioning transparency in decision-making. Chief football officer Tony Scholes has defended officials, emphasizing their high level of expertise.
However, with referees facing growing abuse, there is a clear need for improved communication and trust between VAR, referees, and football stakeholders. The technology itself is not the issue—its implementation and interpretation require further refinement. The introduction of semi-automated offsides and clearer protocols for subjective decisions could further enhance VAR’s effectiveness. Until then, debates over its fairness and efficiency will continue to dominate discussions in English football.
Fans of the game can be seen complaining about some VAR decision on almost every matchday but is the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee as bad as the fans think it is? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
