VAR in the Premier League keeps making mistakes

A string of major VAR errors this season has shaken the Premier League, as even Howard Webb, the Head of Refereeing, acknowledged the unfair calls that sparked anger.

VAR technology was originally expected to bring fairness to modern football, but it has instead become the focus of criticism in the Premier League this season, with numerous serious mistakes continuously exposed, causing frustration among fans and experts alike.

According to an exclusive source from Daily Mail, Howard Webb personally contacted Manchester United’s management to admit errors in the 1-3 loss to Brentford last October. In that match, referee Craig Pawson only issued a yellow card to Nathan Collins, despite the player clearly committing a foul that denied Bryan Mbeumo a clear goal-scoring chance.

VAR reviewed the incident but upheld the decision, stating that “Mbeumo had not fully controlled the ball.” After further review, Howard Webb admitted the refereeing team made a mistake, a move that further undermines confidence in the VAR system.

Not only in the Man United match, the PGMOL (Premier League’s refereeing body) also acknowledged two other serious errors in recent fixtures. In the Chelsea vs. Fulham game on August 30, VAR incorrectly disallowed a legitimate goal by Rodrigo Muñiz. Meanwhile, in Wolves’ 2-3 defeat to Everton, a clear penalty was missed when Hugo Bueno was fouled inside the box. An independent VAR review panel concluded that VAR official Michael Salisbury and referee Craig Pawson both failed to follow proper procedures.

Last season, the VAR system recorded up to 18 errors. Although the Premier League insists it will keep using the technology, it is also considering adjustments to its operation amid growing opposition from fans and clubs.

These repeated mistakes show the problem lies not in the technology but in the people operating it. VAR was designed to ensure fairness, but inconsistent use and rule violations distort the spirit of football. When valid goals are wrongly disallowed or obvious fouls ignored, trust in the Premier League—known as one of the fairest and most transparent leagues in the world—is being tested more than ever.

Related articles

CONFIRMED: MU unfairly treated by Premier League referees According to exclusive information from journalist Mike Keegan (Daily Mail), Head of Refereeing Howard Webb contacted Manchester United’s management to admit that referee Craig Pawson made a serious error in their recent 1-3 loss to Brentford. See more