VAR took center stage as Arsenal beat West Ham in the Premier League over the weekend, with the former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock suggesting a possible solution
10:06, 13 May 2026
Referee Chris Kavanagh looks at the VAR monitor during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace
Referee Chris Kavanagh looks at the VAR monitor during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Crystal Palace(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has called for VAR to be scrapped if the only alternative is to continue in its current form — though he has pitched a solution.
This weekend, perhaps the most important VAR overturn of all time was enforced by the referee, Chris Cavanagh, during the game between Arsenal and West Ham. A doul on David Raya was spotted that could mean the Premier League title going to the Gunners rather than Manchester City.
It was just about the right decision, but there are still question marks about the consistency in the application of the technology. Overturns are for "clear and obvious" errors, though defining exactly where the line is on that is difficult.
READ MORE: Xabi Alonso agreement reached as Chelsea approach could end Liverpool hopesREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Joao Gomes move, Akliouche race, Alonso latest
"The VAR decision regarding Raya was probably the right call; you can’t put your arm across the goalkeeper," Warnock said.
"However, why the decision took five minutes, I’ll never know. One change that has been suggested is that both teams should have two opportunities to challenge a decision every game.
"If the challenge is successful and the decision is overturned, the team should keep that challenge rather than lose it. It would mean the game isn’t stopped as much; every single incident is checked by VAR at the moment.
Arsenal eventually got its wish as VAR disallowed West Ham's late goal
Arsenal eventually got its wish as VAR disallowed West Ham's late goal(Image: Getty Images)
"If nothing changes, VAR should be scrapped. However, it won’t be scrapped because there’s been too much money invested into the technology, but it is absolutely killing the game."
From this summer onwards, leagues will have the opportunity to increase the powers that VAR has. It would be possible to introduce it to check the awarding of corner kicks, for instance.
However, The Guardian has reported that it won't be arriving in the Premier League because PGMOL is concerned that it will increase delays in matches even further.
It will be in place at the World Cup, though with the temperatures meaning that a drinks break will come in for every half of soccer that is played at that tournament, disrupting the flow of the game is less of a concern.
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
From next season, VAR will check yellow cards that lead to a red card. At the moment, that system is only used for straight reds, but it has been decided to change it.
IFAB, the body that governs soccer's rule changes, is expected to discuss the problem of grappling at corners, which has been particularly prevalent in the Premier League this season, during the summer.
There are no proposals on how to tackle the problem at this stage, though the former Premier League assistant Darren Cann suggested this week that players could be kept out of the six-yard box when a corner kick is taken.
Article continues below
Liverpool.com says: A challenge system would still have controversies, but perhaps could mean the flow of matches is disrupted a little bit less. The bigger change would be finding a way to speed up corners and long throws, which have taken an age almost across the board in the Premier League this season.