All 30 Premier League VAR mistakes exposed as clubs get ready to vote
VAR has been a contentious issue in the Premier League since its introduction, and it might soon be eliminated. The 20 Premier League clubs are set to vote on its future during a meeting on June 6. For VAR to be scrapped, at least 14 of the 20 clubs must vote in favor.
Wolves have confirmed they will vote to remove VAR due to mounting frustration with its decisions over the past season. Brighton, Liverpool, and Nottingham Forest, who have also been notably affected by VAR errors, have not yet disclosed how they will vote. The Independent Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI) has identified 30 VAR errors this season. Below is a summary of some of these errors:
1. August 14: Manchester United 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
In the first matchday of the season, during injury time, Manchester United’s goalkeeper Andre Onana collided with Wolves’ Sasa Kalajdzic in the box. Despite strong appeals, no penalty was awarded. VAR reviewed and upheld the referee’s decision, which the KMI later ruled as incorrect. Premier League referees’ manager Jon Moss visited the Wolves’ dressing room post-match to admit the error.
2. August 19: Liverpool 3-1 AFC Bournemouth
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was sent off for a challenge on Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie. Despite minimal force in the tackle, the referee issued a red card, and VAR did not recommend a review. The decision was later overturned on appeal.
3. September 2: Manchester City 5-1 Fulham
Fulham were aggrieved when Nathan Ake’s goal stood despite Manuel Akanji appearing to block the goalkeeper’s view. The referee and VAR allowed the goal, but the KMI later deemed this a mistake.
4. September 16: Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace
Aston Villa were awarded a controversial penalty in injury time when Ollie Watkins was brought down. The referee spent five minutes reviewing the pitchside monitor and upheld his decision despite VAR’s recommendation to overturn it. Douglas Luiz converted the penalty, leading to frustration from Crystal Palace’s coaching staff.
5. September 18: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley
Burnley’s Lyle Foster scored what seemed to be a winning goal, but VAR disallowed it due to a handball by Sander Berge in the buildup. This decision was later judged incorrect by the KMI.
6/7. September 30: Aston Villa 6-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton suffered two questionable decisions: Ollie Watkins’ goal was allowed despite Nicolo Zaniolo standing in an offside position, and another Watkins goal was awarded despite a foul by Douglas Luiz in the buildup. Both decisions were later ruled as errors by the KMI.
8. September 30: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool
One of the season’s most notorious VAR errors occurred when Luis Diaz’s goal for Liverpool was incorrectly ruled offside due to a communication error between the referee and VAR. Tottenham scored shortly after, and the PGMOL later acknowledged the significant error and issued an apology.
9. October 1: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford
Although specific details for this match are not provided, it is included in the list of VAR mistakes identified by the KMI.
