Football
5 Feb 2025
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Premier League VAR Controversies: 13 Mistakes & Key Errors Explained

What were the four VAR errors? Outtara 'handball' - Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle, 25 August What: Dango Outtara thought he had scored a late winner for Bournemouth when he jumped to head the ball. The goal was given by on-field referee David Coote. Decision: VAR Tim Robinson advised Coote to reverse his decision, deeming it to be handball. As he deemed it a factual decision rather than subjective, he did not send Coote to the monitor to review it. Outcome: With no conclusive evidence as to whether the ball was low enough on Ouattara's arm to deem it a handball, PGMOL chief Howard Webb - speaking on Sky Sports' Match Officials Mic'd Up - said VAR was incorrect to intervene. De Ligt foul on Ings - West Ham 2-1 Man Utd, 27 October What: West Ham striker Danny Ings went down inside the penalty area while challenging for the ball with Manchester United defender Mathijs de Ligt. Referee David Coote waved play on but was advised by VAR Michael Oliver to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Decision: Coote awarded a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen scored to give West Ham victory. Outcome: Under-pressure Man Utd manager Ten Hag was sacked the next day. Webb later said the Hammers should not have been awarded a penalty. Norgaard red card - Brentford 0-0 Everton, 23 November What: Brentford's Christian Norgaard caught Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on the knee while challenging for the ball in the penalty area. Decision: Referee Chris Kavanagh did not take action but was advised by the VAR to review the incident. He subsequently showed Norgaard a straight red card. Outcome: Norgaard's three-match suspension for serious foul play was overturned by an independent panel on appeal. Milenkovic goal disallowed - Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton, 19 January What: Nikola Milenkovic scored a header to put Nottingham Forest 4-1 up. Decision: The VAR advised referee Anthony Taylor to disallow the goal as Forest striker Chris Wood came from an offside position and impeded the Southampton defenders to challenge for the ball. Wood did not touch the ball. Result: An independent panel found the goal should have been given. 'Significant progress' on semi-automated offside technology It had been hoped semi-automated offside technology, which is used in Fifa and Uefa competitions, would be introduced in either the October or November international windows. League officials hope it would reduce the time taken to check offsides by 31 seconds. Scholes, despite his own misgivings, says there has been significant progress over the past "four to six weeks", and the intention is still to bring it in this season. "This technology doesn't improve the accuracy, it makes the process more efficient," he said. "Why wouldn't you introduce it if you are absolutely confident it is ready?"

The Premier League has confirmed 13 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) mistakes so far this season—four incorrect interventions and nine missed interventions across the first 23 rounds of matches.

VAR mistakes down from 20 last season
70 VAR interventions in 239 matches (one every three games)
Premier League accuracy rate: 96.4% (up from 95.7% last season)

Despite these improvements, VAR remains a hot topic, especially after major errors impacted key matches.


The Four Biggest VAR Errors This Season

Outtara “Handball” – Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle (25 August)

What Happened?
Dango Outtara thought he had scored a late winner for Bournemouth with a header.
Referee David Coote allowed the goal.

VAR Intervention:
VAR Tim Robinson ruled it handball but didn’t send Coote to the pitchside monitor.

Outcome:
No clear evidence showed the ball hit Outtara’s arm illegally.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb later confirmed VAR was wrong to intervene.


De Ligt Foul on Ings – West Ham 2-1 Man Utd (27 October)

What Happened?
West Ham striker Danny Ings went down in the box after a challenge from Mathijs de Ligt.
Referee David Coote waved play on.

VAR Intervention:
VAR Michael Oliver advised Coote to check the monitor.
Coote awarded a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen scored to win the match for West Ham.

Outcome:
Erik ten Hag was sacked the next day.
Webb later admitted West Ham should not have been given a penalty.


Norgaard Red Card – Brentford 0-0 Everton (23 November)

What Happened?
Brentford’s Christian Norgaard caught Jordan Pickford on the knee in a challenge.
Referee Chris Kavanagh took no action initially.

VAR Intervention:
VAR advised Kavanagh to review the incident.
Norgaard received a straight red card.

Outcome:
Brentford appealed, and an independent panel overturned the red card.


Milenkovic Disallowed Goal – Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton (19 January)

What Happened?
Nikola Milenkovic scored a header to put Nottingham Forest 4-1 up.

VAR Intervention:
VAR ruled out the goal, claiming Chris Wood (offside) interfered with play, despite not touching the ball.

Outcome:
An independent panel confirmed the goal should have stood.


Premier League’s Next Steps: Semi-Automated Offside Technology

The league is making “significant progress” in implementing semi-automated offside technology.
Expected to reduce offside check times by 31 seconds.
Officials still hope to introduce it before the season ends.

Chief Football Officer Tony Scholes:

“This technology won’t improve accuracy but will speed up the process. If we’re confident, why wouldn’t we introduce it?”


💬 Should VAR Be Improved or Scrapped?

VAR remains one of the most debated topics in football. While mistakes have decreased, errors still impact crucial matches.

💬 Should VAR stay, be improved, or be scrapped? Drop your thoughts below! 👇

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