The 13 VAR errors in the Premier League and which clubs have been hit hardest

This season has seen more VAR errors than this time 12 months ago as Premier League managers and players continue to be frustrated by some high profile mistakes that are impacting games

VAR issues continue to be on the rise following the first half of the Premier League season with more than a dozen incidents being flagged incorrect once they were reviewed.

The system continues to divide opinion despite being around since 2019 with those operating it still making errors. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel shows mistakes have increased 30 per cent season-on-season - going from 10 to 13.

It has shown improvement from previous years though, with there being 20 errors at this stage of the 2023/24 campaign and 23 in 2022/23. That said, the extent of certain mistakes this term have continued to frustrate players, managers, fans and pundits.

A disallowed goal at Chelsea for Fulham is among the most high profile blunders with Joe Cole claiming: "I don't like it in football when you're chalking off goals for that, it makes it too sanitised for me."

The numbers don't make for great reading. All but two of the mistakes are missed interventions, up from seven to 11, when the VAR failed to suggest to the referee he should change his decision. Total overturns have dropped from 57 in 2024-25 to 47 this season - a fall of 17.54 per cent, reports the BBC

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The KMI Panel also catalogues on-field mistakes, which did not reach the clear and obvious threshold for VAR to intervene, and they are up from 12 to 15.

The KMI Panel meets every week to dissect each decision. It has five members: three former players and coaches, plus one representative each from the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). The idea behind it is to take performance stats out of the hands of the refereeing body.

We take a look at every decision that has been deemed wrong across the season as well as the teams that have been on the right and wrong side of the calls.

1. Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Senesi red card

The ball struck Marcos Senesi's arm but he then he made a deliberate act and batted it away just as Hugo Ekitike was about to run through on goal. The referee didn't show Senesi a card after claiming it was not foul play and when the VAR, on that occasion Michael Oliver, only looked at the first time the ball struck the arm.

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 1-4

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 game was still awaiting its first when Josh King thought he'd put the visitors in front just after the 20 minute mark. Referee Rob Jones initially gave the goal but the VAR then flagged an incident between Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up. It was deemed a foul, which stunned many, and the error led to the VAR, Michael Salisbury, being stood down from his next appointment.

On-field vote: 5-0

VAR vote: 0-5

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 midway through the second-half when he was bought down following a challenge from Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. The Toffees were leading 3-1 at the time. Referee Michael Oliver allowed play to go on and the VAR, Craig Pawson, decided that there was not enough to suggest an on-field review.

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 2-3

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 was only handed a yellow card despite pulling back ex-Bee Bryan Mbeumo as he was about to shoot inside the box. The defender had to pull back his opponent as he was put through on goal and referee Craig Pawson gave a penalty, but VAR, Andy Madley, did not think Mbeumo was in control of the ball, denying that it was a scoring chance. Brentford were 2-1 at the time with 20 minutes left - Bruno Fernandes would miss the penalty.

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 0-5

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."

5. Chelsea 1-3 Brighton: Gusto foul

It didn't change the end result, but at the time of the incident the game was still 1-1. Malo Gusto raised a foot to make a clearance, unaware that Yankuba Minteh was behind him. The Brighton winger went down holding his head, but referee Simon Hooper did think there was contact and VAR didn't jump in. The Seagulls scored twice in stoppage time.

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 0-5

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 did their job as the told referee Jarred Gillett to go to the screen, but even after having another look it was deemed that the wrong outcome was still reached. Gillett didn't think that Senesi should be sent off for a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after fouling Ismaila Sarr. The referee stuck by his decision to only dish out a yellow card.

On-field vote: 3-2

VAR vote: 3-2

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 stood on the foot of Dango Ouattara and the Brentford star went down, but VAR Paul Tierney chose not to intervene. Brentford did get a penalty shortly afterwards for a clash between the same two players, but the extent of the contact meant that there was a split of opinion regarding whether the referee needed to review it.

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 2-3

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."

8. Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham: Kilman's swipe at the ball

Bournemouth trailed West Ham 2-0 when they were given a route back in after being given a penalty in the 66th minute. Max Kilman had handled the ball when he was on the ground. Referee Thomas Bramall only showed a yellow card and VAR stood by that, but it was later deemed that the Hammers defender prevented Evanilson from having a shot.

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 1-4

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 game was still without its opening goal when, after 17 minutes, Phil Foden released a shot but was was caught late by Fabian Schar. There is scope for defenders to have some leeway when it comes to blocks that turn into tackles, but the challenge was deemed reckless.

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3

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 secured a convincing win but in one incident Emmanuel Agbadou angled his body into the path of a shot to stop the ball. VAR Stuart Attwell chose not send referee Michael Salisbury to the monitor, but it was later confirmed that was the incorrect decision.

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 1-4

The panel's verdict: "Agbadou leans in towards the ball with a straight arm and his arm blocks the shot heading towards goal."

11. Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Saliba avoid penalty

Everton were losing 1-0 - which is how the game would end - when William Saliba and Thierno Barry went for a bouncing ball. Barry got there first and was kicked by the Arsenal defender. VAR Michael Salisbury, decided there wasn't enough contact to send referee Sam Barrott to the screen.

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3

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 dodged giving a penalty away once again when, in the 54th minute Marcus Tavernier played a long cross to David Brooks, but Gusto jumped to head it and the ball landed on his outstretched arm. The VAR wrongly determined that the ball had hit the Chelsea ace too high on the arm for handball.

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 2-3

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 sent through and he ran onto a pass before Tottenham's Cristian Romero making an attempt to intercept the ball. The defender made no contact on the ball and brought down the Brentford striker. The VAR felt there was no clear and obvious error in not giving the foul.

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3

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."

How often teams are on receiving end

2: Bournemouth, Brentford, Manchester United,

1: Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves.

Bournemouth, Brentford and Manchester United have suffered from two VAR errors. The Red Devils - and the now sacked Ruben Amorim - may feel their loss at Brentford could've been a game they took something from if they'd been playing against 10 men.

Brentford have experience of this too given Tottenham should have had 10 men for most of the second half in the clash in west London.

Bournemouth were certainly impacted when West Ham defender Kilman was not sent-off after conceding a penalty in the 69th minute of a 2-2 draw. They should also have had a penalty at Chelsea in a clash that also ended 2-2.

Teams that benefited from VAR calls

3: Chelsea

2: Bournemouth, Newcastle

1: Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Tottenham, West Ham, Wolves

Chelsea have been the biggest winners and the way they had VAR go their way during the win over Fulham has been cited as one of the worst calls of the season. The draw with Bournemouth could also have ended differently.

Newcastle should have conceded an early penalty in their win over Manchester City, had Pep Guardiola's side gone ahead the result could've been very different and may yet have a bearing on the title race. Arsenal, Brentford and Everton benefited from VAR decision in games they won anyway.

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