13 VAR errors in Premier League this season as Liverpool involved in controversy

VAR continues to spark controversy in the Premier League with 13 official errors identified by the KMI Panel this season, from Chelsea benefiting most to Bournemouth, Brentford, and Manchester United suffering from two mistakes each

There's been more VAR controversy this season(Image: Getty Images)

VAR controversies have continued to mount during the opening half of the Premier League season, with more than a dozen incidents being deemed incorrect after review.

The technology remains a source of heated debate despite its introduction in 2019, with operators still committing errors. According to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel, mistakes have risen by 30 percent compared to the same period last season, jumping from 10 to 13 - with one involving Arne Slot's Liverpool.

However, there has been progress compared to previous campaigns, with 20 errors recorded at this point in the 2023-24 season and 23 in 2022-23. Nevertheless, the severity of certain blunders this term has continued to frustrate players, managers, supporters, and pundits alike.

Among the most controversial decisions was a disallowed Fulham goal at Chelsea, with Joe Cole stating: "I don't like it in football when you're chalking off goals for that, it makes it too sanitised for me."

The statistics make for grim reading. All but two of the errors are missed interventions, rising from seven to 11, where VAR failed to advise the referee to reconsider his decision. Total overturns have declined from 57 in 2024-25 to 47 this season – a drop of 17.54 per cent, reports the BBC.

The KMI Panel also records on-field errors, which fell short of the clear and obvious threshold required for VAR intervention, and these have increased from 12 to 15. The KMI Panel convenes weekly to scrutinise each decision.

Anthony Taylor consulting the VAR monitor during Chelsea vs. Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)

The panel comprises five members: three ex-players and coaches, along with one representative each from the Premier League and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). The aim is to wrest control of performance stats from the refereeing body. We delve into every decision that has been deemed incorrect throughout the season...

1. Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Senesi red card

Marcos Senesi's arm made contact with the ball, but he then deliberately swatted it away just as Hugo Ekitike was about to make a break for goal. The referee didn't brandish a card at Senesi, ruling it wasn't foul play, and VAR official Michael Oliver only reviewed the initial contact with the arm.

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."

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 1-4

2. Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: King goal disallowed

The match remained goalless when Josh King believed he'd broken the deadlock for the visitors just past the 20-minute mark. Referee Rob Jones initially awarded the goal, but VAR then spotted an incident between Rodrigo Muniz and Trevoh Chalobah in the build-up. It was ruled a foul, a decision that left many baffled, and the mistake resulted in VAR official Michael Salisbury being removed from his next fixture.

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."

On-field vote: 5-0

VAR vote: 0-5

3. Wolves 2-3 Everton: Bueno denied penalty

Hugo Bueno was brought down midway through the second half following a challenge from Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. The Toffees were 3-1 up at the time. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on and VAR Craig Pawson determined there was insufficient evidence to warrant an on-field review.

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."

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 2-3

4. Brentford 3-1 Man Utd: Collins avoids red card

Nathan Collins escaped with just a yellow card despite hauling back former Bee Bryan Mbeumo as he prepared to shoot inside the penalty area. The defender was forced to restrain his opponent after being caught out, and while referee Craig Pawson awarded a spot-kick, VAR official Andy Madley deemed Mbeumo wasn't in control of the ball, ruling out a clear goalscoring opportunity. Brentford held a 2-1 advantage with 20 minutes remaining – Bruno Fernandes subsequently missed the penalty.

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."

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 0-5

5. Chelsea 1-3 Brighton: Gusto foul

While it didn't alter the final outcome, the match stood at 1-1 when the incident occurred. Malo Gusto raised his boot to clear the ball, unaware that Yankuba Minteh was positioned behind him. The Brighton forward collapsed clutching his head, yet referee Simon Hooper didn't deem there was contact and VAR declined to intervene. The Seagulls netted twice during stoppage time.

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."

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 0-5

6. Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth: Senesi avoids red again

VAR fulfilled its role by instructing referee Jarred Gillett to review the incident on the monitor, but despite a second look, the wrong decision was still made. Gillett concluded that Senesi shouldn't receive a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after bringing down Ismaila Sarr. The referee maintained his decision to issue only a yellow card.

The panel's verdict: "The majority felt that Sarr was very likely to gain possession with the ability to create an obvious goalscoring opportunity."

On-field vote: 3-2

VAR vote: 3-2

7. Brentford 3-1 Newcastle: Burn trips Ouattara

Dan Burn trod on Dango Ouattara's foot and the Brentford player hit the deck, but VAR Paul Tierney opted not to intervene. The Bees were awarded a penalty moments later for another incident involving the same two players, but opinions were divided over whether the level of contact warranted a referee review.

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."

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 2-3

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

The Cherries found themselves 2-0 down against West Ham when they were thrown a lifeline in the form of a penalty in the 66th minute. Max Kilman was penalized for handling the ball while on the ground. Referee Thomas Bramall opted for a yellow card, a decision upheld by VAR, but it was later agreed that the Hammers defender had denied Evanilson a shot at goal.

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."

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 1-4

9. Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Foden foul goes unnoticed

The match was still goalless when, after 17 minutes, Phil Foden took a shot but was caught late by Fabian Schar. While defenders are given some leeway when it comes to blocks that turn into tackles, the challenge was considered reckless.

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."

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3

10. Wolves 1-4 Man Utd: Agbadou handball controversy

United clinched a resounding victory, but one incident involving Emmanuel Agbadou angling his body to block a shot raised eyebrows. VAR Stuart Attwell decided not to send referee Michael Salisbury to the monitor, a decision later deemed incorrect.

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

On-field vote: 0-5

VAR vote: 1-4

11. Everton 0-1 Arsenal: Saliba escapes penalty

The Toffees were trailing 1-0 – the eventual final score – when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for a bouncing ball. Barry reached it first and was caught by the Arsenal defender's boot. VAR Michael Salisbury determined there wasn't sufficient contact to instruct referee Sam Barrott to review the incident on the monitor.

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."

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3

12. Chelsea 2-2 Bournemouth: Gusto penalty appeal

The Chelsea defender narrowly avoided conceding a penalty once more when, in the 54th minute, Marcus Tavernier delivered a deep cross towards David Brooks, but Gusto leapt to head it away, and the ball struck his extended arm. The VAR incorrectly concluded that the ball had made contact too high on the Chelsea player's arm to constitute handball.

The panel's verdict: "The panel felt that the ball hit the 'red zone' of his arm that was raised in an unjustifiable position."

On-field vote: 1-4

VAR vote: 2-3

13. Brentford 0-0 Tottenham: Romero avoids red

Igor Thiago was played through and latched onto a pass ahead of Tottenham's Cristian Romero, who attempted to intercept the ball. The defender failed to make contact with the ball and fouled the Brentford striker. The VAR determined there was no clear and obvious error in the decision not to award the foul.

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."

On-field vote: 2-3

VAR vote: 2-3