The Key Match Incidents panel has identified 18 VAR errors across the 2024-25 Premier League season, with the technology still a source of much debate.
Bruno Fernandes receiving a red card during Man United vs Tottenham
Bruno Fernandes receiving a red card during Man United vs Tottenham
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has pinpointed 18 VAR errors throughout the 2024-25 season, marking an improvement on the previous year.
All 20 clubs in the league cast their votes on retaining VAR ahead of the season, with Wolves being the sole club advocating for its complete removal. Despite the league's decision to continue with Video Assistant Referees, there were widespread appeals for modifications to enhance the process.
Premier League clubs argued for more frequent and improved training for referees to better the current state of play. They also requested for fixed teams of VAR officials to foster better understanding among officials, as well as advocating for a drastic reduction in delays and improved communication for fans in stadiums, with the latter being a recurring concern for match-going supporters.
The Key Match Officials panel consists of former players and/or coaches, along with one representative each from the Premier League and PGMOL.
ESPN has highlighted the errors identified by the panel over the course of the most recent Premier League season. Here's some further insight into the mistakes - as well as which clubs were affected most.
1. Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth vs Newcastle).
The first VAR error occurred on the season's opening weekend. Bournemouth striker Ouattara believed he had netted a late winner, only for it to be disallowed due to handball.
The KMI panel unanimously agreed that VAR made an incorrect decision. That extra point for Newcastle proved beneficial, as Eddie Howe's team qualified for the Champions League based solely on goal difference, although it's overly simplistic to claim that a decision on the opening weekend was the deciding factor.
2. Bruno Fernandes (Man United vs Tottenham).
Another unanimous vote here. Fernandes received a straight red card during Manchester United's home defeat to Tottenham in September, with all five panellists deeming it a mistake.
United were 1-0 down at the time and ended up losing 3-0. Fernandes' suspension was eventually overturned on appeal.
3. Matthijs de Ligt (West Ham vs Man United
The KMI panel votes on both the referee and the VAR in these cases. As with the Ouattara incident, the panel unanimously supported the on-field referee but disagreed with the VAR intervention.
Initially, no penalty was given after United defender De Ligt tackled West Ham forward Danny Ings late in the second half. A lengthy VAR review led referee Michael Oliver to award a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen successfully converted from 12 yards to secure the win for West Ham.
4. Christian Norgaard (Everton vs Brentford).
Brentford skipper Norgaard was sent off in the first half of their stalemate at Everton after a challenge on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, which led to VAR stepping in.
The decision was contentious, with ESPN reporting that the panel was divided (3:2), stating: "The panel were split (3:2), with the majority deeming the on-field decision correct as 'both players are committed to normal footballing actions.' Two panelists deemed the on-field decision incorrect as 'whilst this was a challenge for the ball, there was a high, full and forceful contact with the studs.'".
5. Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace).
VAR's hesitance to intervene has also been questioned, particularly regarding Maatsen's tackle on Ismaila Sarr, which some argue warranted a red card.
The debate hinges on whether Maatsen's foul on Sarr prevented a clear scoring chance. Despite the referee and VAR not finding sufficient evidence of this, the panel remained unconvinced.
6. Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton vs Wolves).
Not every controversial decision had a significant impact on the game's result. In the match where Everton dominated Wolves with a three-goal lead, the panel still found fault with what they considered an erroneous call.
Doucoure was deemed not to be interfering with play while in an offside position in the build-up to a Craig Dawson own goal. Interestingly, Everton had a goal disallowed for a similar offence earlier in the match, but were not penalised on this occasion.
7. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa).
The match between Forest and Villa in December saw late drama, with the home side scoring twice in the final five minutes to turn defeat into victory. However, the VAR controversy occurred early on, with the scores still level.
Villa appealed for a penalty as Forest's Anderson pulled back Morgan Rogers, but it was not awarded. The KMI panel argued, with a 3-2 majority, that there was sufficient holding in the box to warrant a penalty.
8. Pervis Estupinan (West Ham vs Brighton).
The match between West Ham and Brighton in December saw all the drama unfold after half-time. Mats Wieffer and Mohammed Kudus scored, while Brighton's Estupinan risked a late red card for serious foul play.
Neither the on-field referee nor the VAR felt the Ecuadorian deserved to be dismissed for his foul on Max Kilman, but the KMI panel disagreed. "The action of Estupinian has speed, force, intensity and endangers the safety of the opponent," they stated.
9. Joao Pedro (Brighton vs Brentford).
Just a week later, another Brighton player avoided a red card. Joao Pedro threw an elbow at Brentford's Yehor Yarmoliuk but remained on the pitch.
Despite making no contact with his opponent, the Brazilian should not have avoided a red card, according to the KMI panel, who unanimously agreed that the officials made an error.
10. Alexis Mac Allister (West Ham vs Liverpool).
In December, West Ham found themselves on the wrong end of a VAR penalty mistake, having previously benefited from one in October. The Hammers may feel this could have significantly impacted the game, as their 1-0 deficit ballooned into a 5-0 loss following the decision.
Mac Allister was seen throwing Carlos Soler to the ground off the ball, leading to a split decision among the KMI panel, with some arguing it had no impact on play. This defeat marked Julen Lopetegui's final match at the London Stadium, as he was sacked following a loss to Manchester City days later.
11. Wes Burns (Ipswich vs Brighton).
Brighton, who had previously benefited from VAR errors in December, found themselves on the receiving end in January. The Seagulls appealed for an early penalty at Ipswich after Burns obstructed Jan Paul van Hecke, but the appeal was dismissed.
Ultimately, it didn't make much difference, as Fabian Hurzeler's side went on to secure a 2-0 victory.
12. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest vs Southampton).
Nottingham Forest's encounter with Southampton in January proved a nail-biter when it really shouldn't have. A comfortable 3-0 advantage was unnervingly slashed to 3-2, in part due to the controversy surrounding a disallowed goal which potentially could have halted Southampton's comeback.
Milenkovic was under the impression he had extended the lead to 4-1 just after Saints' initial strike, only to see his effort ruled out for an offside decision against his colleague Chris Wood. The expert panel, nevertheless, agreed that Wood did not interfere with play and the goal should have stood.
13. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Wolves vs Arsenal)
In the Wolves vs Arsenal clash, Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card before the break at Molineux for halting a counter. There was little dispute over the foul on Matt Doherty warranting action, yet the severity of the card caught Arsenal off guard.
Myles Lewis-Skelly appealing his red card against Wolves
(Image: PA)
Despite being a player down, Arsenal clinched victory, and Wolves concluded the match similarly handicapped, seeing one of their own dismissed. Following a review, Lewis-Skelly's red card was rescinded.
"Yeah obviously really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
14. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton vs Aston Villa)
It wasn't until April, after these contentious January moments, that another dubious VAR outcome emerged, as acknowledged by the KMI panel. However, this instance marked the first of two contentious calls made on that same day.
Hinshelwood's challenge on Jacob Ramsey was overlooked by officials, and despite Villa claiming it was a clear penalty, they won the game 3-0.
15. James Tarkowski (Liverpool vs Everton)
James Tarkowski was only booked for a contentious tackle on Alexis Mac Allister. The KMI panel unanimously agreed that despite winning the ball first, the dangerousness of Tarkowski's action warranted a red card, stating: "The clear dangerous nature of the challenge is not mitigated by Tarkowski winning the ball first," and identified it as "A clear example of endangering the safety of an opponent."
16. Caoimhin Kelleher (Fulham vs Liverpool)
Fulham, hosting Liverpool at Craven Cottage, won 3-2, marking just the second league defeat for the Reds this season in April. Fulham managed to overcome being denied a valid penalty when Liverpool's goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher fouled Andreas Pereira without receiving any consequence.
17. Evanilson (Bournemouth vs Man Utd)
United's game with Bournemouth also saw VAR controversy. The game ended in a draw after the home side had led, even though Evanilson's red card stirred debate over referee decisions once again.
Evanilson receiving a red card against Manchester United
(Image: PA)
Evanilson was shown the red card following a tackle on United's Noussair Mazraoui. However, it seemed he slipped into the challenge, a point noted in the panel's explanation, leading to the Brazilian's ban being ultimately rescinded.
18. Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich vs Brentford).
Our list concludes with relegated Ipswich, who were already relegated when they received an inconsequential reprieve against Brentford. Defender Tuanzebe pulled Bees' Nathan Collins to the turf, but no penalty was given.
The panel contended that the grappling between the players was not mutual, with Tuanzebe clutching his opponent with both arms. The decision had no impact on the outcome, as Brentford were 1-0 up at the time and won by the same margin.
So, who benefited the most... and who suffered.
Brentford bore the brunt of these incorrect decisions, finding themselves on the losing side three times without benefiting from a mistake even once. On the flip side are Everton, who profited three times without any losses.
ESPN also examined the biggest beneficiaries of VAR decisions - not just the errors listed above - throughout the season. Newcastle lead the pack in this regard, with 13 decisions in their favour and only four against, while Bournemouth are at the opposite end with four decisions for them and 11 against.
Three teams - Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester City - experienced no VAR errors throughout the entire season. In fact, City only had four VAR interventions in their matches all season - three in their favour and one against.