Man Utd worst affected by VAR as 13 Premier League errors flagged | Football | Sport
The first half of the Premier League season has seen a surge in VAR issues, with over a dozen incidents flagged as incorrect upon review. Despite being in use since 2019, the system continues to spark debate due to ongoing errors. The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel reveals that mistakes have risen by 30 per cent season-on-season – increasing from 10 to 13.
However, there has been some improvement compared to previous years, with 20 errors recorded at this stage of the 2023/24 campaign and 23 in 2022/23. Nevertheless, the severity of certain mistakes this term continues to exasperate players, managers, fans and pundits alike. Among the most notable blunders was a disallowed goal for Fulham at Chelsea, leading Joe Cole to comment: “I don’t like it in football when you’re chalking off goals for that, it makes it too sanitised for me.”
The statistics are not encouraging. All but two of the errors were missed interventions, rising from seven to 11, where the VAR failed to suggest the referee should alter his decision. Total overturns have fallen from 57 in 2024-25 to 47 this season – a decrease of 17.54 per cent, according to the BBC. The KMI Panel also records on-field mistakes, which did not meet the clear and obvious threshold for VAR intervention, and these have increased from 12 to 15.
The KMI Panel, consisting of three former players and coaches, along with one representative each from the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), convenes weekly to scrutinise each decision. The aim is to remove performance statistics from the control of the refereeing body.
Express Sport examines every decision that has been deemed incorrect throughout the season, as well as the teams that have benefited or suffered from these calls…
1. Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Senesi red card
Marcos Senesi’s arm was hit by the ball, but he then deliberately swatted it away just as Hugo Ekitike was about to make a run through on goal. The referee did not penalise Senesi, stating it was not foul play, and VAR, Michael Oliver in this instance, only reviewed the initial contact with the arm.
The panel’s verdict: “There is a secondary action by Senesi, where he moves his arm to flick the ball away, which is a handball offence. The majority feel that this was an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
2. Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: King goal disallowed
The match was still goalless when Josh King believed he’d given the visitors the lead just past the 20-minute mark. Referee Rob Jones initially gave the goal, but then VAR highlighted an incident involving Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah during the build-up.
It was ruled as a foul, which left many shocked, and this mistake resulted in the VAR, Michael Salisbury, being removed from his next assignment.
The panel’s verdict: “Muniz has possession and Chalobah tries to step in to win the ball. This contact is normal in the context of the skill Muniz was performing.”
3. Wolves 2-3 Everton: Bueno denied penalty
Hugo Bueno was fouled halfway through the second half when he was brought down following a challenge from Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye. The Toffees were leading 3-1 at the time.
Referee Michael Oliver let the game continue and the VAR, Craig Pawson, decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to suggest an on-field review.
The panel’s verdict: “Bueno turns back into Ndiaye who does not make any contact on the ball. The contact made is careless and the panel felt that a penalty should have been awarded.”
4. Brentford 3-1 Man Utd: Collins avoids red card
Nathan Collins received only a yellow card despite holding back former team-mate Bryan Mbeumo as he was about to take a shot inside the box. The defender had no choice but to hold back his opponent who was in on goal, and referee Craig Pawson awarded a penalty but no red card.
VAR official Andy Madley did not believe Mbeumo had control of the ball, thus ruling out a scoring opportunity. At that point, Brentford were leading 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining. Bruno Fernandes missed the resulting penalty.
The panel’s verdict: “There is an impactful holding action by Collins which is not an attempt to play the ball. Mbuemo is clearly prevented from having a clear shot at goal.”
Nathan Collins was fortunate not to be sent off vs Man Utd (Image: Getty Images)
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5. Chelsea 1-3 Brighton: Gusto foul
While it didn’t alter the final outcome, the game was tied 1-1 at the time of the incident when Malo Gusto lifted a foot to clear the ball, oblivious to Yankuba Minteh behind him.
The Brighton winger fell to the ground clutching his head, but referee Simon Hooper didn’t believe there was contact and VAR didn’t intervene. The Seagulls scored twice in extra time.
The panel’s verdict: “Gusto’s foot is raised and makes clear contact with the shoulder and head of Minteh and the VAR should have intervened.”
6. Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth: Senesi avoids red again
VAR actually performed their duty as they instructed referee Jarred Gillett to check the monitor, but even after reviewing the incident, it was felt that the incorrect decision was still made.
Gillett didn’t believe that Senesi should be dismissed for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after bringing down Ismaila Sarr. The referee maintained his decision to only issue a yellow card.
The panel’s verdict: “The majority felt that Sarr was very likely to gain possession with the ability to create an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”
7. Brentford 3-1 Newcastle: Burn trips Ouattara
Dan Burn trod on the foot of Dango Ouattara and the Brentford player went down, but VAR Paul Tierney opted not to intervene. Brentford did receive a penalty shortly afterwards for an incident between the same two players, but the level of contact meant that there was a division of opinion regarding whether the referee needed to review it.
The panel’s verdict: “The panel were unanimous in their view that Burn commits a careless tripping offence. The panel were however split regarding the VAR outcome. Two members felt that the referee’s call should stand as the contact was glancing.”
Marcos Senesi avoided a red card at Crystal Palace (Image: Getty)
8. Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham: Kilman’s swipe at the ball
Bournemouth found themselves 2-0 down to West Ham when they were handed a lifeline in the form of a penalty in the 66th minute.
Max Kilman was adjudged to have handled the ball while on the ground. Referee Thomas Bramall opted for a yellow card and VAR upheld that decision, but it was later agreed that the Hammers defender had denied Evanilson a clear shot at goal.
The panel’s verdict: “There is clear evidence that Kilman makes an additional movement with his arm to swipe the ball and in doing so this denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity.”
9. Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Foden foul unpunished
The match was still goalless after 17 minutes when Phil Foden took a shot but was caught late by Fabian Schar. While defenders are given some leeway when it comes to blocks that turn into tackles, this challenge was deemed reckless.
The panel’s verdict: “Despite Foden getting a shot away, Schar makes a reckless foul challenge. Two panellists supported the decision as contact was a consequence of the momentum of the blocking action, and not clearly reckless.”
10. Wolves 1-4 Man Utd: Agbadou handball
United clinched a resounding victory, but there was one incident where Emmanuel Agbadou angled his body to block a shot. VAR Stuart Attwell decided not to send referee Michael Salisbury to the monitor, but it was later confirmed that this was the wrong call.
The panel’s verdict: “Agbadou leans in towards the ball with a straight arm and his arm blocks the shot heading towards goal.”
Emmanuel Agbadou got away with a handball against Man Utd (Image: Getty)
11. Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Saliba avoids penalty
Everton were trailing 1-0 – which is how the match would conclude – when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for a bouncing ball. Barry reached it first and was kicked by the Arsenal defender.
VAR Michael Salisbury decided there wasn’t sufficient contact to send referee Sam Barrott to the monitor.
The panel’s verdict: “A late challenge where Saliba carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball. Two panellists supported the on-field no penalty call as they felt there was not enough impact and a delayed reaction.”
12. Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Gusto penalty appeal
The Chelsea defender escaped conceding a penalty once more when, in the 54th minute, Marcus Tavernier played a long cross to David Brooks, but Gusto jumped to head it and the ball struck his outstretched arm. The VAR incorrectly determined that the ball had hit the Chelsea player too high on the arm for handball.
The panel’s verdict: “The panel felt that the ball hit the ‘red zone’ of his arm that was raised in an unjustifiable position.”
13. Brentford 0-0 Tottenham: Romero dodges red
Igor Thiago was played through and he latched onto a pass ahead of Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, who attempted to intercept the ball.
The defender failed to make contact with the ball and fouled the Brentford striker. The VAR determined there was no clear and obvious error in not awarding the foul.
The panel’s verdict: “Romero doesn’t play the ball and then brings down Thiago, who has a high likelihood of gaining control of the ball, travelling towards goal, with no covering defenders.”
Team worst off from VAR calls
2: Bournemouth, Brentford, Manchester United
1: Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves
Bournemouth, Brentford and Manchester United have been on the wrong end of two VAR errors. The Red Devils – and the now sacked Ruben Amorim – may feel their defeat at Brentford could’ve been a match they salvaged something from if they’d been facing 10 men.
Brentford have encountered this too given Tottenham should have been reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half in the encounter in west London.
Bournemouth were certainly affected when West Ham defender Kilman was not dismissed after giving away a penalty in the 69th minute of a 2-2 draw. They should also have been awarded a penalty at Chelsea in a match that also finished 2-2.
Teams that benefited from VAR calls
2: Bournemouth, Newcastle
1: Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves
Chelsea have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, with their victory over Fulham, aided by a controversial VAR decision, being labelled as one of the season’s most contentious calls. Their draw against Bournemouth could also have had a different outcome.
Newcastle might have been penalised with an early penalty in their triumph over Manchester City. Had Pep Guardiola‘s team taken the lead, the match’s result could have been drastically different and may still influence the title race.
Arsenal, Brentford and Everton also gained from VAR decisions in matches they ultimately won.
