Video Assistant Referee (VAR) errors have risen in the first half of the Premier League season, according to figures released by the league’s independent Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel and analysed by BBC Sport on Tuesday.
The panel documented 13 VAR mistakes during the opening half of the campaign, representing a 30 per cent increase compared to the 10 errors recorded at the same stage last season.
Despite the increase, the total still marks an improvement on previous seasons, with 20 errors logged at this point in the 2023–24 campaign and 23 during the 2022–23 season.
Of the 13 errors recorded this season, 11 were classified as missed interventions—instances where VAR failed to recommend an on-field review despite an incorrect refereeing decision. This is up from seven missed interventions last season. Meanwhile, incorrect interventions, where VAR wrongly intervened, dropped slightly from three to two.
The overall number of VAR overturns has also declined, falling from 57 last season to 47 this term—a reduction of 17.5 per cent—highlighting the league’s continued application of the “clear and obvious” standard.
Additionally, the KMI Panel identified 15 on-field refereeing mistakes that did not meet the threshold for VAR involvement, up from 12 at the same point last season.
How the KMI Panel Works
The KMI Panel convenes weekly to review all major 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 Limited (PGMOL).
Formed in 2022 by Premier League clubs, the panel was established to independently evaluate refereeing decisions using the Laws of the Game and the league’s officiating guidelines, rather than subjective opinions.
Importantly, the panel first assesses the referee’s original decision before reviewing VAR’s involvement. In some cases, a referee may be deemed wrong, while VAR is considered correct for not intervening due to the high threshold required.
Full List of VAR Errors This Season
The 13 VAR mistakes occurred across several high-profile matches and included missed red cards, penalties that should have been awarded, and incorrect disciplinary decisions. Key incidents include:
- Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Marcos Senesi avoided a red card for handball that denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
- Chelsea vs Fulham – Fulham’s Josh King had a valid goal wrongly ruled out 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 clear goalscoring opportunity.
- Chelsea vs Brighton – Malo Gusto avoided punishment for a high boot to Yankuba Minteh’s head.
- Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth – Senesi again avoided a red card for a denial of a goalscoring opportunity offence.
- Brentford vs Newcastle – Dango Ouattara was incorrectly booked for simulation instead of being awarded a penalty.
- Bournemouth vs West Ham – Max Kilman should have been sent off for deliberate handball.
- Newcastle vs Manchester City – A penalty was not given after Phil Foden was fouled inside the box.
- Wolves vs Manchester United – Emmanuel Agbadou’s handball, which blocked a shot, went unpunished.
- Everton vs Arsenal – Everton were denied a late penalty following a foul by William Saliba.
- Chelsea vs Bournemouth – Malo Gusto avoided a penalty call for handball.
- Brentford vs Tottenham – Cristian Romero escaped a red card after bringing down Igor Thiago when clean through on goal.