The Premier League's Video Assistant Referee system has come under renewed scrutiny after data revealed a significant rise in officiating errors in the first half of the season. According to the league's independent Key Match Incidents panel, there has been an alarming 30 percent increase in major VAR mistakes, with the number of confirmed blunders rising from 10 to 13 compared to the same period last campaign.
The Rising Tide of VAR Controversy
The KMI panel, comprised of five members including three former players and coaches, a Premier League representative, and a PGMOL official, reviews every match. Their findings show the most common error is the VAR failing to intervene when they should, with such incidents jumping from seven to 11. Conversely, incorrect interventions by VAR have slightly decreased from three to two.
Overall, the number of on-field decisions overturned by VAR has fallen by 17%, from 57 to 47. Meanwhile, incidents where VAR stepped in without meeting the required 'clear and obvious' threshold have increased from 12 to 15. These figures will vindicate fans who have grown increasingly frustrated by inconsistent and controversial uses of the technology.
A Club-by-Club Breakdown of the 13 Errors
The panel has detailed the 13 specific mistakes that have affected the course of matches so far this season.
1. Senesi's Liverpool Let-off: In the season's opening game, Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi deliberately handled the ball, denying Hugo Ekitike a clear goal-scoring chance. VAR Michael Oliver reviewed only an earlier, accidental touch, missing the deliberate offence. Liverpool won 4-2.
2. King's Chelsea Heartbreak: Fulham's Josh King had a sensational goal at Stamford Bridge wrongly disallowed after VAR intervened for a perceived foul in the build-up. The panel unanimously deemed it an incorrect call. Chelsea won 2-0.
3. Bueno's Denied Penalty: Wolves' Hugo Bueno was fouled by Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, but referee Michael Oliver waved play on and VAR did not correct him. Everton won 3-2.
4. Collins' Escaped Red: Brentford's Nathan Collins pulled back Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, who was through on goal. A penalty was given and Collins was yellow-carded, but the panel unanimously agreed it should have been a red. Brentford won 3-1.
5. Gusto's High Boot: Chelsea's Malo Gusto made clear contact with Brighton's Yankuba Minteh's head with a high boot. Referee Simon Hooper saw no foul and VAR did not send him to the monitor, a decision the panel unanimously disagreed with. Brighton won 3-1.
6. Senesi's Second Reprieve: The Bournemouth defender, again, should have seen red for denying Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Referee Jarred Gillett checked the monitor but stuck with his original yellow card. The match ended 3-3.
7. Burn's Unpunished Foul: Newcastle's Dan Burn fouled Brentford's Dango Ouattara in the box. The panel unanimously agreed it was a penalty, though were split on whether VAR should have intervened. Brentford won 3-1.
8. Kilman's Handball Escalation: West Ham's Max Kilman was penalised for handball against Bournemouth but only received a yellow. The panel believed his deliberate swipe of the ball warranted a red card. The game ended 2-2.
9. Schar's Reckless Challenge: Newcastle's Fabian Schar caught Phil Foden with a reckless tackle in the box during Manchester City's 2-1 defeat. The referee played on and VAR did not intervene, a decision the panel narrowly supported (3-2).
10. Agbadou's Unseen Handball: Wolves defender Ismael Agbadou handled a Manchester United shot in the box. The panel unanimously said it was a referee error, and four of five believed VAR should have stepped in. United won 4-1.
11. Saliba's Title Race Slice of Luck: Arsenal's William Saliba fouled Everton's Thierno Barry in the box but no penalty was given. The panel narrowly voted (3-2) that it was an error. Arsenal won 1-0.
12. Gusto's Handball Houdini Act: Chelsea's Malo Gusto handled in the box against Bournemouth. The panel felt his arm was in an unnatural position, but VAR Craig Pawson incorrectly ruled the contact point was too high. The match ended 2-2.
13. Romero's Red Card Offence: Tottenham's Cristian Romero took out Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who was clean through on goal. No red card was issued, a decision the panel narrowly deemed incorrect (3-2). The game finished 0-0.
Which Clubs Gained and Lost?
The data reveals a clear imbalance in how VAR errors have distributed their favour. Chelsea have been the biggest beneficiaries, with three incorrect decisions going in their favour and none against them.
Bournemouth have been involved in four incidents, suffering from two mistakes but also gaining from two, with Marcos Senesi at the centre of two reprieves. Newcastle have gained from two errors without suffering any, while the opposite is true for Manchester United.
Liverpool, Fulham, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, and Brighton have all suffered from one incorrect call without gaining any benefit. Tottenham, West Ham, and Arsenal have a net balance of plus one. Clubs not mentioned have a neutral record from the panel's cited mistakes.
Beyond these 13 'key' errors, the panel noted a further 15 'secondary' errors not deemed significant enough to require VAR intervention, up from 12 last season. The cumulative effect points to a system still causing as much controversy as it seeks to resolve.
