Leeds United are not the only Premier League team to have been left frustrated by VAR.
Fans of all 20 Premier League clubs have made their stance clear on VAR with three-quarters against its continued use, according to a survey.
The Football Supporters’ Association received feedback from almost 8,000 fans of Premier League clubs towards the end of a season that has been shrouded in controversy. Leeds United have not been immune to the frustration and earlier this month received confirmation of a costly VAR error.
In the first-half of Leeds’ 1-0 defeat at home to Sunderland, Luke O’Nien had two hands around the neck of Pascal Struijk before pulling him down. Referee Stuart Attwell waved play on and VAR did not intervene, deciding against recommending an on-field review for a clear and obvious error.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel have since voted unanimously to confirm the decision not to recommend a review was a VAR error. It was one of several confirmed mistakes over the course of the season and with frustration growing, fans have made their stance on the technology clear.
Alongside over 75 per cent of fans wanting to scrap VAR, a whopping 90 per cent disagreed with the statement that VAR has improved the matchgoing experience. Furthermore, 94 per cent disagreed it made watching football on television more enjoyable while 91 per cent believe the technology has harmed the joy of celebrating goals.
“These findings back up the FSA’s previous survey in 2021, where fans expressed misgivings about the introduction of VAR,” The FSA’s Premier League network manager Thomas Concannon said. “The vast majority are reporting the same concerns five years on – the loss of spontaneity when celebrating goals, and an overall worsening of the matchgoing experience.
“We have shared the survey results with the Premier League and PGMO, and look forward to discussing its findings with them.”
Premier League response to VAR survey
In response, the Premier League said: “VAR delivers more correct decisions. In recent seasons, there have been around 100 correct VAR overturns per season – instances where goals would otherwise have been incorrectly awarded or disallowed, or red cards or penalties missed or wrongly given.
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“As part of ongoing dialogue with supporters, Premier League research indicates fans are largely in favour of keeping VAR, but improving the way it is used. This remains a priority for both the Premier League and PGMO, and the League will continue to engage with all stakeholders to build on the progress made through the VAR Improvement Plan.”
Leeds were also vindicated over their fury for a second refereeing decision last week, with another KMI panel voting Gabriel Gudmundsson was incorrectly sent off during his side’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace. The Swede was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Ismaili Sarr which the panel described as ‘minimal contact’ in a challenge that was ‘careless and not clearly reckless.’
VAR was not involved in that decision and could not intervene, with no current powers to review and potentially overturn second yellow card decisions. There are ongoing talks over increasing the reach of technology which could see such scenarios reviewed.
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