Video Assistant Referee (VAR) mistakes have increased during the first half of the Premier League season, with 13 errors recorded so far, according to data from the league’s independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel analysed by BBC Sport.
The figure represents a 30 per cent rise compared to the 10 errors logged at the same stage last season. However, it still marks an improvement on previous campaigns, with 20 errors recorded by this point in the 2023–24 season and 23 in 2022–23.
Of the 13 errors this season, 11 were missed interventions, where VAR failed to alert referees to review incorrect on-field decisions. This is an increase from seven missed interventions at the same stage last season. Incorrect interventions, where VAR wrongly stepped in, dropped slightly from three to two.
The number of VAR overturns has also declined, falling from 57 last season to 47 — a reduction of 17.5 per cent — reflecting the Premier League’s continued emphasis on the “clear and obvious” standard for intervention.
In addition, the KMI Panel identified 15 refereeing mistakes on the pitch that did not meet the threshold for VAR involvement, up from 12 during the same period last season.
How the KMI Panel works
The KMI Panel meets weekly to review all key match incidents, including goals, penalties, red cards and second yellow cards. It consists of five members — three former players or coaches, alongside one representative each from the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials.
Set up in 2022 by Premier League clubs, the panel independently evaluates refereeing decisions based on the Laws of the Game and officiating guidelines, rather than public or managerial opinion. It assesses the referee’s decision first, before judging VAR’s role, noting that some incorrect calls may still fall below the VAR intervention threshold.
Full list of VAR errors this season
The 13 errors involve several high-profile matches and include missed red cards, penalties not awarded and incorrect disciplinary decisions:
- Liverpool vs Bournemouth: Marcos Senesi avoided a red card for handball denying a clear goalscoring chance.
- Chelsea vs Fulham: Fulham’s Josh King had a valid goal wrongly disallowed following VAR intervention.
- Wolves vs Everton: Wolves were denied a penalty after a careless challenge on Hugo Bueno.
- Brentford vs Manchester United: Nathan Collins escaped a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
- Chelsea vs Brighton: Malo Gusto went unpunished for a high boot on Yankuba Minteh.
- Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth: Senesi again avoided a red card for a DOGSO offence.
- Brentford vs Newcastle: Dango Ouattara was incorrectly booked for simulation instead of being awarded a penalty.
- Bournemouth vs West Ham: Max Kilman was not sent off for deliberate handball.
- Newcastle vs Manchester City: A penalty was not awarded after Phil Foden was fouled in the box.
- Wolves vs Manchester United: Emmanuel Agbadou’s handball blocking a shot went unpunished.
- Everton vs Arsenal: Everton were denied a late penalty following a foul by William Saliba.
- Chelsea vs Bournemouth: Gusto avoided punishment for another handball incident.
- Brentford vs Tottenham: Cristian Romero escaped a red card for bringing down Igor Thiago when through on goal.
