Although the drop in mistakes is encouraging, some still expected flawless execution with the integration of the advanced technology.
All 20 Premier League teams voted on VAR’s continuation before the season began, with only Wolves opposing it completely. While the system stayed, many clubs demanded updates to improve its efficiency.
One major request from clubs involved enhancing the consistency and quality of referee training to raise officiating standards.
They also recommended assigning fixed VAR teams to promote better collaboration, cutting long pauses in decision-making, and improving in-stadium communication with supporters—an issue frequently raised by match-goers.
Now regarding those 18 incidents identified this season, the Key Match Officials panel includes ex-players or coaches, along with one delegate each from the Premier League and PGMOL.
According to ESPN, the panel analyzed all flagged mistakes, and Mirror Football further examined which teams were most affected by the decisions.
1. Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth vs Newcastle)
On the opening weekend, Ouattara thought he’d scored late for Bournemouth, but the goal was disallowed for handball.
The panel unanimously concluded that VAR made the wrong call. The point gained by Newcastle ultimately played a role in their Champions League qualification, although it’s hard to credit that alone. ..Continue Reading
2. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United vs Tottenham)
Fernandes was shown a straight red during a home defeat in September.
All five reviewers agreed the dismissal was unwarranted. His suspension was later rescinded on appeal, and he returned to action.
3. Matthijs de Ligt (West Ham vs Manchester United)
The panel reviewed both referee and VAR actions. While they backed the initial on-field call, they disagreed with the VAR’s decision to intervene.
A late challenge by De Ligt led to a West Ham penalty following a lengthy review, which proved decisive in their win.
4. Christian Norgaard (Everton vs Brentford)
Norgaard saw red after a collision with Pickford at the far post.
The panel was split—three agreed it was a fair challenge, while two viewed the contact as dangerously forceful, warranting a red.
5. Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace)
The panel debated whether Maatsen should have seen red for fouling Ismaila Sarr.
They disagreed on whether a covering defender negated the denial of a clear chance. Ultimately, the on-field decision stood.
6. Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton vs Wolves)
Everton already led comfortably when Doucoure was judged not to be interfering from an offside position during an own goal sequence.
The panel found inconsistency, as a similar earlier situation had resulted in a goal being disallowed.
7. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa)
Early in the match, Anderson appeared to pull back Morgan Rogers in the box.
Despite no penalty being given, the panel—by a narrow margin—felt the infraction warranted a spot-kick.
8. Pervis Estupinan (West Ham vs Brighton)
Estupinan’s late foul raised questions of a possible red card. While neither official judged the tackle as excessively dangerous, the panel believed the challenge met the threshold for dismissal due to its speed and force.
9. Joao Pedro (Brighton vs Brentford)
A week later, Joao Pedro swung an elbow at Yarmoliuk but avoided punishment.
Although no contact was made, the panel unanimously ruled he should have been sent off for the intent.
10. Alexis Mac Allister (West Ham vs Liverpool)
Mac Allister brought down Carlos Soler off the ball, but no penalty or booking followed. Opinions were divided within the panel, with some arguing the incident affected the match and others not.
Liverpool’s win turned into a heavy defeat for West Ham, which ultimately led to their manager’s dismissal.
11. Wes Burns (Ipswich vs Brighton)
In January, Brighton found themselves on the receiving end of a disputed VAR call. During a match against Ipswich, Wes Burns impeded Jan Paul van Hecke early in the game, prompting penalty appeals that were dismissed.
Brighton went on to win two-nil, so the decision had little impact, though things might have been viewed differently if the scoreline had been tighter.
12. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest vs Southampton)
Forest’s narrow victory over Southampton might have been far more comfortable. They had a 3-0 lead cut to 3-2, and a disallowed goal played a role.
Milenkovic believed he’d made it 4-1 just after Southampton’s first, but the goal was ruled out due to Chris Wood being offside. However, the panel judged that Wood hadn’t affected play and the goal should have stood.
13. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Wolves vs Arsenal)
In the first half at Molineux, Lewis-Skelly received a red card for a foul that stopped a Wolves counter-attack. While the foul itself wasn’t questioned, the red card drew surprise.
Arsenal still managed a win despite Wolves also finishing with ten players, and the youngster’s suspension was later overturned. Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction at the decision being reversed.
14. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton vs Aston Villa)
Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood avoided sanction for a foul on Jacob Ramsey during an April fixture.
The panel unanimously felt a penalty should have been awarded to Villa. The incident had no bearing on the outcome, as Villa went on to win by three goals.
15. James Tarkowski (Liverpool vs Everton)
That same day, Everton’s Tarkowski escaped with only a yellow after a high tackle on Mac Allister.
The panel unanimously disagreed with the referee’s decision, arguing that the nature of the challenge endangered the opponent’s safety, regardless of Tarkowski making contact with the ball first.
16. Caoimhin Kelleher (Fulham vs Liverpool)
Liverpool lost their second league game of the season at Fulham, with a missed penalty decision adding to the controversy.
Kelleher collided with Andreas Pereira after he had crossed the ball, yet no action was taken. Despite the missed call, Fulham secured a 3-2 victory.
17. Evanilson (Bournemouth vs Manchester United)
Once again, Bournemouth felt wronged by a VAR decision. They were ahead when Evanilson was sent off for a tackle on Mazraoui. The panel later noted he had slipped while making the challenge, and the resulting ban was rescinded.
18. Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich vs Brentford)
Ipswich were already relegated when they escaped punishment late in the season. Tuanzebe held Nathan Collins in the box, but no penalty was awarded.
The panel stated the holding wasn’t mutual and should’ve led to a spot kick. However, Brentford were already leading and won the match one-nil.
Brentford emerged as the most disadvantaged club, having been affected by three incorrect decisions while gaining no advantage from any VAR mistake. By contrast, Everton were the biggest beneficiaries, profiting three times and never being harmed.
An ESPN analysis also examined which clubs overall received the most favorable VAR outcomes. Newcastle had the highest number of favorable decisions at 13, with only four going against them. Bournemouth sat at the opposite end, receiving just four favorable calls and suffering from 11.
Notably, Chelsea, Leicester, and Manchester City went an entire season without being involved in any confirmed VAR errors. City only had four VAR checks in total—three went in their favor and one did not.
