Video assistant referee (VAR) errors have increased during the first half of the Premier League season, “according to data collected by BBC Sport from the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel.”
BBC Sport data shows 13 VAR mistakes so far this season, marking a 30% rise compared to last season’s 10 errors at the same stage. However, officials point out that this figure remains lower than previous years, with 20 errors in 2023-24 and 23 in 2022-23.
Out of the 13 errors, 11 were missed interventions, where VAR failed to advise referees to change incorrect decisions. This number has risen from seven last season. Meanwhile, incorrect interventions have dropped from three to two.
BBC Sport further reported that total overturned decisions have decreased from 57 last season to 47 this season, a fall of 17.54%.
Key incidents
Some of the major VAR mistakes this season include:
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Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi avoiding red cards twice, including a handball against Liverpool that denied Hugo Ekitike a clear goal-scoring chance.
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Josh King’s goal for Fulham wrongly disallowed against Chelsea, an error that led to VAR official Michael Salisbury being stood down.
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Brentford’s Nathan Collins escaping a red card after pulling back Bryan Mbeumo in a clear scoring situation.
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Chelsea defender Malo Gusto avoiding penalties in two separate matches for handball offences.
Clubs affected
According to BBC Sport data, clubs that suffered the most errors:
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Bournemouth – 2
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Brentford – 2
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Manchester United – 2
Clubs that benefited the most:
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Chelsea – 3
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Bournemouth – 2
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Newcastle – 2
“Chelsea have gained the most from errors,” BBC Sport reported, particularly in matches against Fulham and Bournemouth.
How the KMI Panel works
BBC Sport explained that the KMI Panel, formed in 2022, consists of:
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Three former players/coaches
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One Premier League representative
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One from Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO)
The panel reviews all major decisions weekly and judges them based on “the laws of the game and Premier League refereeing standards.”
This season, 15 on-field errors were recorded that did not meet the “clear and obvious” threshold for VAR intervention, compared to 12 last season.
Missed second yellow cards
BBC Sport also reported five cases where players escaped second yellow cards:
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Malick Thiaw – Newcastle
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Andre – Wolves
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka – West Ham
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Ruben Dias – Manchester City
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Mikel Merino – Arsenal
Conclusion
While VAR errors have increased this season, BBC Sport noted that the numbers are still lower than in previous campaigns. However, the rising number of missed interventions continues to raise questions over decision-making standards in the Premier League.
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