The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has pinpointed 18 VAR errors throughout the 2024-25 season, including three involving Liverpool, marking an improvement on the previous year.
This figure represents a significant decrease from the prior campaign, but some may have anticipated flawless execution with the introduction of this new technology. All 20 Premier League clubs voted on retaining VAR ahead of the season, with Wolves being the sole club advocating for its complete removal.
Despite the continued use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), there were widespread appeals for modifications to enhance the procedure. Premier League clubs advocated for more frequent and superior training for referees in a bid to improve the current state of affairs.
They also proposed the establishment of dedicated teams of VAR officials to foster better understanding among officials, as well as demanding a substantial reduction in delays and improved communication for fans in stadiums, the latter being a recurring concern for match-going supporters.
So, let's delve into those 18 errors during the 2024-25 season. 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 illuminated the mistakes identified by the panel over the course of the most recent Premier League season. Here, we provide further insight into these errors, as well as identify which clubs were disproportionately affected.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher was involved in a controversial moment against Fulham (Image: Getty Images)
1. Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth vs. Newcastle)
The first VAR blunder occurred on the season's opening weekend. Bournemouth striker Ouattara believed he had netted a last-minute winner, only for it to be disallowed due to handball.
The KMI panel unanimously agreed that VAR made an incorrect call. The 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 first weekend was the deciding factor.
2. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd 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 an error.
At the time, United was trailing 1-0 and eventually lost 3-0. Fernandes' suspension was subsequently overturned on appeal, allowing the Portuguese player to return to the pitch.
3. Matthijs de Ligt (West Ham vs. Man Utd)
In these cases, the KMI panel votes on both the referee and the VAR. As with the Ouattara incident, the panel unanimously supported the on-field referee but disagreed with the VAR intervention.
No penalty was initially given after United defender De Ligt challenged West Ham striker 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 out, securing the win for West Ham.
4. Christian Norgaard (Everton vs. Brentford)
Brentford skipper Norgaard received his marching orders with a straight red card in the first half of the team's stalemate at Everton. The Danish midfielder's attempt to reach a ball at the far post led to an unfortunate clash with Everton's keeper Jordan Pickford, prompting VAR to step in.
This incident marks the first contentious decision on our list, with the panel divided (3:2) as explained by ESPN: "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)
Some errors stem from a lack of VAR intervention when it might have been more judicious to intervene. One such case is Maatsen's challenge on Ismaila Sarr, in which the panel, albeit divided, believed a red card was warranted.
The debate hinges on whether Maatsen prevented Sarr from having a clear scoring chance. Despite the match referee and VAR not spotting a covering defender, the panel remained unconvinced.
6. Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton vs. Wolves)
Not every decision listed here significantly impacted the game's result. When Everton was comfortably ahead by three goals against Wolves, it still gained from what the panel views as a mistaken call.
Doucoure was deemed not to be interfering while in an offside position leading up to a Craig Dawson own goal. Interestingly, Everton had previously seen a goal disallowed for a similar infraction but were not penalized on this occasion.
7. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa)
The December match between Forest and Villa was filled with late drama, as the home team scored twice in the final five minutes to turn defeat into victory. However, the VAR controversy occurred early on, with the score still tied.
Villa appealed for a penalty when Forest midfielder Anderson pulled back Morgan Rogers, but no penalty was awarded. The KMI panel argued, with a 3-2 majority, that there was sufficient holding inside the box to warrant a penalty.
8. Pervis Estupinan (West Ham vs. Brighton)
In the December match between West Ham and Brighton, which ended in a draw, all the action took place in the second half. Mats Wieffer and Mohammed Kudus exchanged goals, while Brighton defender Estupinan risked a late red card for serious foul play.
Neither the on-field referee nor the VAR believed the Ecuadorian deserved to be sent off 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 one week later, another Brighton player avoided a red card. Joao Pedro threw an elbow at Brentford's Yehor Yarmoliuk but remained on the field.
The Brazilian didn't make contact with his adversary, but that doesn't mean he should have avoided a red card. In fact, the KMI panel unanimously agreed that the officials made an error.
10. Alexis Mac Allister (West Ham vs. Liverpool)
Having been on the favorable side of a VAR penalty blunder in October, West Ham found itself on the receiving end in December. The Hammers might argue that it could have significantly altered the game, as a 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 divided KMI panel, with some arguing it had no influence on the game. The defeat marked Julen Lopetegui's final match at the London Stadium, with the manager being sacked after a subsequent loss at Manchester City.
11. Wes Burns (Ipswich vs. Brighton)
After benefiting from VAR mistakes in December, Brighton was on the flip side in January. The Seagulls appealed for an early penalty at Ipswich after Burns obstructed Jan Paul van Hecke, but their appeal was dismissed.
In the end, it didn't matter too much, as Fabian Hurzeler's team went on to secure a 2-0 victory. However, had Brighton struggled to break through, it might have ruminated on that overlooked call.
12. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest vs. Southampton)
Nottingham Forest's triumph over Southampton back in January proved to be a considerably more nerve-racking affair than it perhaps should have been. Forest was sitting on a comfortable 3-0 lead, which precariously shrank to just 3-2, amidst the controversy over a disallowed goal that potentially could have prevented such a scenario.
Milenkovic believed he'd extended the advantage to 4-1 soon after the Saints netted their first, but his goal was nullified for an offside call against his team-mate Chris Wood. However, the panel later pointed out that Wood didn't actually interfere with any of the players, insinuating the goal should have counted.
13. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Wolves vs. Arsenal)
In the face-off against Wolves, Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red and sent off in the first half for interrupting a breakaway. While there was consensus about the penalty due to his tackle on Matt Doherty, Arsenal members were astounded by the red card shown to Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal still managed to clinch the match victory, as Wolves also had a man down by the end, and soothingly for the Gunners, Lewis-Skelly's card was subsequently rescinded. "Yeah obviously really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us," celebrated Gunners manager Mikel Arteta post-outcome.
14. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton vs. Aston Villa)
After January's misjudgement error, a lengthier wait until April was encountered before another VAR call was questioned by the KMI adjudicators as incorrect. Nonetheless, it happened to be one of two controversial decisions made on the very same day.
Brighton's youth player Hinshelwood escaped a penalty call for his challenge on Jacob Ramsey, with the expert panel unanimously agreeing that Villa should have been awarded a spot-kick. Though the incident didn't alter the outcome, as Unai Emery's team sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory.
15. James Tarkowski (Liverpool vs. Everton)
James Tarkowski found himself embroiled in another VAR error during the clash between Liverpool and Everton on April 2, which drew a unanimous reaction from the KMI panel. The Everton defender only received a caution for his tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, which many believed at the time was deserving of a sending off.
"The clear dangerous nature of the challenge is not mitigated by Tarkowski winning the ball first," declaimed the panel. "A clear example of endangering the safety of an opponent."
16. Caoimhin Kelleher (Fulham vs. Liverpool)
Caoimhin Kelleher was in the spotlight when Liverpool faced Fulham, as the Reds encountered their second league defeat of the campaign. Fulham managed to overcome what it saw as a contentious snub of a penalty.
Kelleher caused a stir when he brought down Fulham's Andreas Pereira, who had already played the ball across. Despite no sanction for the Irish keeper, it didn't prevent Fulham from claiming a thrilling 3-2 win.
17. Evanilson (Bournemouth vs Man Utd)
Yet another disputed VAR decision emerged in the game between Bournemouth and Manchester United, following initial uproar on the season's opening day. Andoni Iraola's players could feel hard done by as they were leading 1-0 before the gaffe, but ultimately had to settle for a draw.
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)
We conclude with relegated Ipswich, a team that was already down when it received a seemingly inconsequential reprieve against Brentford. Defender Tuanzebe pulled Bees' Nathan Collins to the ground, 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 was 1-0 up at the time and won by the same margin.
Which team benefited the most, and who suffered?
Brentford bore the brunt of these incorrect decisions, finding itself on the receiving end three times without benefiting from a single mistake. On the flip side, Everton came out on top, gaining from three instances and losing out on none.
ESPN also analysed the biggest beneficiaries of VAR decisions - not just the errors mentioned above - throughout the season. Newcastle leads the pack in this regard, with 13 decisions going its way and just four against, while Bournemouth is at the opposite end with four decisions in their favor and 11 against.
Three clubs - Chelsea, Leicester, and Manchester City - experienced no VAR errors throughout the entire season. In fact, City only had four VAR interventions in its matches altogether - three in its favor and one against.