VAR was introduced to eliminate controversial decisions from football, but instead, it has often fueled frustration and debate among fans.
Despite its goal of providing clear-cut rulings, the system’s inconsistency and subjective interpretations have prevented it from fully achieving that purpose.
Even with the season now concluded, VAR remains a hot topic. Throughout the campaign, Squawka engaged fans in discussions about whether the technology had correctly handled key decisions. ..Continue Reading
Now that the Premier League season has ended, they have revealed how the standings would have looked if VAR had ensured every call was flawless.
Arsenal, initially expected to challenge for the title, saw their hopes fade well before the final matchday.
However, Squawka’s findings suggest that officiating controversies may have widened the gap at the top more than necessary.
Mikel Arteta’s side faced three contentious red card incidents, including one where VAR upgraded William Saliba’s yellow card against Bournemouth to a dismissal.
Had those decisions gone differently—or if VAR had not intervened—the Gunners might have finished just two points behind the champions instead of ten.
This shift comes from Arsenal gaining five additional points while Liverpool lost three.
The top four remains unchanged in terms of the teams occupying those spots, with Manchester City and Chelsea securing third and fourth place, but there is a significant shake-up in fifth position.
Nottingham Forest have long voiced their frustrations with VAR, and this season has given them even more reason to feel aggrieved.
Without controversial officiating errors, they would have secured the final Champions League spot, pushing Newcastle and Aston Villa down a place each.
Brentford, meanwhile, had an impressive campaign despite losing their star striker Ivan Toney. Bryan Mbeumo’s 20-goal haul and key contributions from Yoane Wissa helped Thomas Frank’s side finish 10th.
However, they should have placed even higher, with VAR decisions costing them crucial points.
Had officiating been flawless, Brentford would have ended the season with 60 points instead of 56, securing eighth place and coming within touching distance of UEFA Conference League qualification.
This adjustment would have also seen Brighton and Bournemouth drop further down the table.
Brentford suffered four unfavorable VAR calls without a single decision going their way, a ratio only worse for Arsenal and Aston Villa. In contrast, Brighton benefited from five favorable calls while avoiding any setbacks.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace’s FA Cup-winning season could have been even sweeter, as they would have overtaken Fulham in the standings.
Manchester United’s struggles were further highlighted by VAR’s impact. Without officiating errors, Wolves—Matheus Cunha’s former club—would have finished above United, making his move to Old Trafford seem like a step down.
Wolves would have climbed to 14th, leaving United stuck in 15th, while Tottenham would have gained an extra place to move up to 16th.
The biggest losers in this scenario were West Ham United, who would have ended up just above the relegation zone.
Among the relegated teams, the standings wouldn’t have changed much, except for Ipswich Town, who would have edged above Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester into 18th. While not a major shift, it would have slightly improved their merit payment.
VAR’s influence on the season has once again sparked debate, with clubs left wondering how different things could have been without its interference.
UEFA is set to introduce changes to the Champions League format for the 2025/26 season, ensuring that the highest-ranked teams from the League Phase will have home advantage in the knockout rounds. The final 2024/25 Premier League table if every VAR ‘error’ was erased Matheus Cunha shirt number leaked & […]
