The Premier League has seen fewer VAR mistakes this season compared to the same stage last year, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some high-profile errors.
According to the Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, 66 out of 70 VAR interventions this season have been correct. However, 13 errors have still been identified, consisting of four incorrect interventions and nine missed ones. These mistakes have had a significant impact on teams, including Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, with some decisions costing them dearly in crucial matches.
One of the most controversial errors occurred back in August during Bournemouth’s clash with Newcastle.
Dango Ouattara thought he had scored a dramatic last-minute winner for Bournemouth, but VAR ruled his goal out after a review for a potential handball. On-field referee David Coote had initially awarded the goal, but after VAR’s intervention, the decision was overturned. This mistake meant the game ended in a 1-1 draw instead of Bournemouth claiming a 2-1 victory, a result that could have provided a much-needed boost for Andoni Iraola’s side.
Another notable VAR error came in October, during Manchester United’s trip to West Ham, when a late penalty was awarded against United defender Matthijs de Ligt. The decision came after a VAR review, despite the on-field referee initially not seeing any foul. The penalty was converted by Jarrod Bowen, and it turned out to be the match-winner, giving West Ham a 2-1 victory.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was furious, claiming there was no “clear and obvious mistake” to warrant a review. This controversial decision played a role in the mounting pressure on Ten Hag, ultimately contributing to his departure.
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In November, the controversy continued with a red card for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in a goalless draw against Everton. On-field referee Chris Kavanagh initially did not penalize Norgaard for an incident involving Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
However, after a VAR review, Kavanagh was asked to take another look at the incident, leading to a red card being issued. Brentford appealed the decision, and Norgaard’s three-match ban was overturned, marking one of three such overturns this season. The KMI panel hasn’t clarified if other missed interventions, such as those involving Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes or Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, were part of these errors.
Nottingham Involved in an Error
In January, Nottingham Forest were involved in another VAR controversy when a goal by Nikola Milenkovic was ruled out for offside after Chris Wood was deemed to be interfering with play. Referee Anthony Taylor initially allowed the goal, but after VAR intervention, he decided Wood was offside.
The KMI panel later deemed the decision incorrect, but fortunately for Forest, the goal was not decisive in the 3-2 victory over Southampton. This moment serves as another example of VAR’s influence, as the intervention nearly cost Forest a valuable three points.
Despite these errors, the Premier League’s approach to VAR continues to evolve. While some argue that the technology is improving, the 13 mistakes this season show that the system still faces challenges in consistently delivering accurate decisions. With crucial matches still to come, teams and managers alike will hope for more consistent and fair use of VAR as the season progresses. The KMI panel’s findings highlight the ongoing debate over the system’s effectiveness and the importance of refining its use to avoid costly errors in the future.
