The Premier League has confirmed that there have been 13 VAR errors during the current 2024/25 season, as reviewed by the division’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel. While this represents a notable reduction from the 20 mistakes recorded at the same stage last season, the issue of VAR inconsistencies continues to stir debate across the league.
⚽ Key Findings: VAR Errors Overview
- Total VAR Errors (So Far): 13
- Most Affected Club: Manchester United (2 blunders, 0 decisions in their favor)
- Clubs That Benefited: Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, among others
- Panel Composition: 3 former players, 1 Premier League official, 1 PGMOL representative
- Average VAR Review Time: 40 seconds (down from 71 seconds last season)
Premier League Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes admitted, “We’ve made progress, but there’s still a long way to go.”
❌ Incorrect VAR Interventions (4 Major Errors)
These are incidents where VAR wrongly influenced the referee’s decision, either by recommending an incorrect call or overturning a correct one.
- Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle (25 August 2024)
- Incident: Dango Ouattara’s 92nd-minute winner was wrongly ruled out for handball.
- Reaction: Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola: “The most frustrated I’ve been on a touchline.”
- West Ham 2-1 Man Utd (27 October 2024)
- Incident: Jarrod Bowen awarded an unjust stoppage-time penalty, leading to Erik ten Hag’s final game as United manager.
- Impact: “One single error can cost clubs points, managers their jobs, and players their positions.” — Tony Scholes
- Everton 0-0 Brentford (23 November 2024)
- Incident: Christian Norgaard wrongly sent off for a challenge on Jordan Pickford.
- Thomas Frank: “Never a red card. VAR needs more common sense.”
- Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton (19 January 2025)
- Incident: Nikola Milenkovic’s goal disallowed for offside, despite no interference from Chris Wood.
🚩 Missed VAR Interventions (9 Critical Mistakes)
These cases involve VAR failing to intervene when it should have, allowing incorrect on-field decisions to stand.
- Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham (29 September 2024)
- Incident: Bruno Fernandes was wrongly sent off, later overturned on appeal.
- PGMOL Chief Howard Webb: “It was a mistake to issue the red card.”
- Aston Villa 2-2 Crystal Palace (23 November 2024)
- Incident: Ian Maatsen avoided a clear red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
- Everton 4-0 Wolves (4 December 2024)
- Incident: Craig Dawson’s own goal should’ve been disallowed due to offside interference by Abdoulaye Doucoure.
- Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa (14 December 2024)
- Incident: Elliot Anderson wasn’t penalized for a foul before assisting the match-winner.
- West Ham 1-1 Brighton (21 December 2024)
- Incident: Pervis Estupinan escaped a red card for serious foul play late in the match.
- Brighton 0-0 Brentford (27 December 2024)
- Incident: Joao Pedro avoided punishment for an elbow attempt on Yehor Yarmoliuk.
- Thomas Frank: “Whether you hit or miss, it’s a red card—that’s the rule.”
- West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (29 December 2024)
- Incident: Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t penalized for a penalty-worthy foul. Liverpool scored five minutes later, shifting momentum.
- Ipswich 0-2 Brighton (19 January 2025)
- Incident: Wes Burns wrongly penalized for an early foul, leading to Brighton’s dominance.
- Wolves 0-1 Arsenal (25 January 2025)
- Incident: Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card was later overturned.
- Aftermath: Referee Michael Oliver required police protection following threats.
📊 Clubs Most Affected by VAR Errors
- Negatively Affected:
- Manchester United (2 key errors, no favorable decisions)
- Brentford (multiple unfavorable decisions)
- Arsenal, West Ham, Aston Villa (suffered missed VAR calls)
- Beneficiaries of VAR Mistakes:
- Liverpool (favorable calls in key matches)
- Tottenham Hotspur (benefited from crucial non-interventions)
🔍 What’s Improved?
- Error Reduction: 13 errors so far, compared to 20 at this stage last season.
- Faster Reviews: Average delay reduced to 40 seconds (down from 71).
- Accountability: The KMI panel increases transparency by reviewing all key incidents.
However, as Scholes admitted, “Even one error is too many.”
⚠️ Conclusion
Despite improvements in VAR efficiency and decision-making speed, high-profile errors continue to impact the Premier League title race, managerial positions, and even player safety. The ongoing debate around VAR’s role suggests that while technology can assist, human error remains an inevitable part of football.
