A total of 13 VAR errors have been made in the Premier League this season with high-profile mistakes going unnoticed following a rise in missed interventions
VAR problems persist with a surge in errors during the opening half of the Premier League season, as over a dozen incidents have been flagged as incorrect following review.
The controversial system remains divisive despite being in operation since 2019, with operators continuing to make errors. The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel reveals mistakes have jumped 30 per cent year-on-year – rising from 10 to 13.
However, there has been progress compared to previous campaigns, with 20 errors recorded at this point in the 2023/24 season and 23 in 2022/23. Nevertheless, the severity of certain blunders this term has continued to anger players, managers, supporters and pundits.
A disallowed goal for Fulham at Chelsea ranks amongst the most high profile errors, with Joe Cole stating: “I don’t like it in football when you’re chalking off goals for that, it makes it too sanitised for me.”
The statistics make uncomfortable reading. All but two of the errors are missed interventions, climbing from seven to 11, where VAR failed to advise the referee to reverse his decision. Total overturns have fallen from 57 in 2024-25 to 47 this season – a decline of 17.54 per cent, according to the BBC.
The KMI Panel also records on-field errors, which didn’t meet the clear and obvious threshold for VAR intervention, and these have risen from 12 to 15. The KMI Panel convenes weekly to scrutinise each decision.
The panel consists of five members: three former players and coaches, along with one representative from both the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). The aim is to remove performance statistics from the control of the refereeing body.
Here, the Daily Star Sport examines every decision that has been judged incorrect throughout the season, as well as the teams that have benefited or suffered from these calls.
1. Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Senesi red card
Marcos Senesi’s arm was hit by the ball, but he then deliberately batted it away just as Hugo Ekitike was about to make a break for the goal. The referee did not penalise Senesi, claiming it was not foul play, and VAR official Michael Oliver only reviewed the initial contact with the arm.
On-field vote: 1-4
VAR vote: 1-4
The panel’s verdict: “There is a secondary action by Senesi, where he moves his arm to flick the ball away, which is a handball offence. The majority feel that this was an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
2. Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: King goal disallowed
The match was still goalless when Josh King believed he had given the visitors the lead just past the 20-minute mark. Referee Rob Jones initially awarded the goal, but VAR then spotted an incident between Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up.
The contact was ruled a foul, which left many baffled, and the mistake resulted in VAR official Michael Salisbury being dropped from his next fixture.
On-field vote: 5-0
VAR vote: 0-5
The panel’s verdict: “Muniz has possession and Chalobah tries to step in to win the ball. This contact is normal in the context of the skill Muniz was performing.”
3. Wolves 2-3 Everton: Bueno denied penalty
Hugo Bueno was brought down midway through the second half following a challenge from Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye. The Toffees were ahead 3-1 at that point.
Referee Michael Oliver waved play on and VAR official Craig Pawson determined there was insufficient evidence to warrant an on-field review.
On-field vote: 1-4
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “Bueno turns back into Ndiaye who does not make any contact on the ball. The contact made is careless and the panel felt that a penalty should have been awarded.”
4. Brentford 3-1 Man Utd: Collins avoids red card
Nathan Collins escaped with just a yellow card despite hauling back former Bee Bryan Mbeumo as he was poised to shoot inside the penalty area.
The defender was forced to drag back his opponent after being caught out by a through ball, with referee Craig Pawson awarding a spot-kick, but VAR official Andy Madley didn’t believe Mbeumo had control of the ball, ruling it wasn’t a clear scoring opportunity. Brentford were leading 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining – Bruno Fernandes would subsequently miss the penalty.
On-field vote: 0-5
VAR vote: 0-5
The panel’s verdict: “There is an impactful holding action by Collins which is not an attempt to play the ball. Mbuemo is clearly prevented from having a clear shot at goal.”
5. Chelsea 1-3 Brighton: Gusto foul
Whilst it didn’t alter the final outcome, the match was still level at 1-1 when the incident occurred. Malo Gusto lifted his boot to clear the ball, unaware that Yankuba Minteh was positioned behind him.
The Brighton winger collapsed clutching his head, yet referee Simon Hooper believed there was contact and VAR chose not to intervene. The Seagulls netted twice during injury time.
On-field vote: 0-5
VAR vote: 0-5
The panel’s verdict: “Gusto’s foot is raised and makes clear contact with the shoulder and head of Minteh and the VAR should have intervened.”
6. Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth: Senesi avoids red again
VAR actually did their job by instructing referee Jarred Gillett to check the monitor, but even after reviewing the incident, the wrong decision was still made.
Gillett didn’t believe that Senesi should be dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after bringing down Ismaila Sarr. The official maintained his decision to issue only a yellow card.
On-field vote: 3-2
VAR vote: 3-2
The panel’s verdict: “The majority felt that Sarr was very likely to gain possession with the ability to create an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”
7. Brentford 3-1 Newcastle: Burn trips Ouattara
Dan Burn stepped on Dango Ouattara’s foot and the Brentford player went to ground, but VAR Paul Tierney opted not to get involved. Brentford were awarded a spot-kick moments later for another incident between the same pair, though the level of contact meant opinions were divided on whether the referee should have been asked to review it.
On-field vote: 0-5
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “The panel were unanimous in their view that Burn commits a careless tripping offence. The panel were however split regarding the VAR outcome. Two members felt that the referee’s call should stand as the contact was glancing.”
8. Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham: Kilman’s swipe at the ball
Bournemouth were trailing 2-0 to West Ham when they were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute. Max Kilman was penalised for handling the ball while on the ground. Referee Thomas Bramall only issued a yellow card, a decision that VAR upheld, but it was later agreed that the Hammers defender had denied Evanilson a clear shot at goal.
On-field vote: 0-5
VAR vote: 1-4
The panel’s verdict: “There is clear evidence that Kilman makes an additional movement with his arm to swipe the ball and in doing so this denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”
9. Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Foden foul goes unpunished
The match was still goalless after 17 minutes when Phil Foden took a shot but was caught late by Fabian Schar. While defenders are given some leeway when it comes to blocks that turn into tackles, the challenge was considered reckless.
On-field vote: 2-3
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “Despite Foden getting a shot away, Schar makes a reckless foul challenge. Two panellists supported the decision as contact was a consequence of the momentum of the blocking action, and not clearly reckless.”
10. Wolves 1-4 Man Utd: Agbadou handball controversy
United clinched a convincing victory, but there was one incident where Emmanuel Agbadou angled his body to block a shot. VAR Stuart Attwell decided not to send referee Michael Salisbury to the monitor, but it was later confirmed that this was the wrong decision.
On-field vote: 0-5
VAR vote: 1-4
The panel’s verdict: “Agbadou leans in towards the ball with a straight arm and his arm blocks the shot heading towards goal.”
11. EvertonArsenal
Everton were trailing 1-0 – which is how the match would finish – when William Saliba and Thierno Barry contested a bouncing ball. Barry reached it first and was caught by the Arsenal defender’s boot. VAR Michael Salisbury decided there wasn’t sufficient contact to send referee Sam Barrott to the monitor.
On-field vote: 2-3
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “A late challenge where Saliba carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball. Two panellists supported the on-field no penalty call as they felt there was not enough impact and a delayed reaction.”
12. Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Gusto penalty appeal
The Chelsea defender escaped conceding a penalty once more when, in the 54th minute, Marcus Tavernier delivered a long cross to David Brooks, but Gusto leaped to head it clear and the ball struck his extended arm. The VAR incorrectly concluded that the ball had hit the Chelsea star too high on the arm for handball.
On-field vote: 1-4
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “The panel felt that the ball hit the ‘red zone’ of his arm that was raised in an unjustifiable position.”
13. Brentford 0-0 Tottenham
Igor Thiago was played through and he latched onto a pass before Tottenham’s Cristian Romero attempted to intercept the ball. The defender failed to make contact with the ball and felled the Brentford striker. VAR deemed there was no clear and obvious mistake in not awarding the foul.
On-field vote: 2-3
VAR vote: 2-3
The panel’s verdict: “Romero doesn’t play the ball and then brings down Thiago, who has a high likelihood of gaining control of the ball, travelling towards goal, with no covering defenders.”
How often teams are on receiving end:
2: Bournemouth, Brentford, Manchester United.
1: Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves.
Bournemouth, Brentford and Manchester United have been victims of two VAR blunders. The Red Devils – and the recently dismissed Ruben Amorim – may feel their defeat at Brentford could have yielded points if they’d been facing 10 men.
Brentford know this feeling all too well, given Tottenham should have been reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half during their encounter in west London.
Bournemouth were certainly affected when West Ham defender Kilman escaped a red card after conceding a penalty in the 69th minute of a 2-2 stalemate. They should also have been awarded a penalty at Chelsea in a match that also finished 2-2.
Teams that benefited from VAR calls:
3: Chelsea.
2: Bournemouth, Newcastle.
1: Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves
Chelsea have emerged as the biggest victors, with their VAR-assisted win over Fulham being labelled as one of the season’s most controversial calls. The outcome of their match against Bournemouth could also have been different.
Newcastle might have given away an early penalty in their victory over Manchester City; had Pep Guardiola’s team taken the lead, the result could have been drastically different and may still impact the title race. Arsenal, Brentford and Everton all gained from VAR decisions in matches they ended up winning regardless.