The Premier League’s Biggest VAR Blunders of the Season

Since VAR was first introduced to the Premier League back in 2019, it’s become a constant presence in every match, whether it gets involved or not. The idea behind it was simple - reduce human error and help referees make the right calls. And while it’s definitely corrected a fair few mistakes over the years, it hasn’t always worked as intended.

This season in particular has thrown up its fair share of VAR drama, with some decisions sparking serious debate. So, here at Football Park, we’ve taken a look at some of the biggest VAR blunders of the campaign so far.

Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle - August 25th

Starting at the beginning back in August when Dango Ouattara and Bournemouth thought they had scored a dramatic winner in the 93rd minute against Newcastle. A corner was whipped in, and Ouattara appeared to score with his shoulder - the goal was given on the field, and like any goal, it was then reviewed by VAR.

Tim Robinson, in the VAR studio, decided that the ball had actually hit Ouattara's arm, despite it clearly striking above the shirt line. As a result, the goal was disallowed, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

After the game, the KMI panel - a group made up of three former players or coaches, along with representatives from the Premier League and PGMOL - reviewed the decision. They unanimously agreed, with a 5-0 vote, that the VAR decision was incorrect and that the goal should have stood.

Should Bournemouth's goal have been disallowed? 🤔#BOUNEW pic.twitter.com/otsXdYam1P
— JLA (@JLA_FC) August 25, 2024

West Ham 2-1 Manchester United - 27th October

Much like the previous incident, this mistake also had a direct impact on the outcome of the game. In the 90th minute, there was a coming together between Matthijs de Ligt and Danny Ings, which left Ings on the floor in the penalty area. Referee David Coote initially made the correct call by waving play on, judging there was no foul.

However, after a VAR review, Coote was advised to overturn his original decision and award a penalty to West Ham. Jarrod Bowen stepped up and scored in the 92nd minute, sealing a 2-1 win for the Hammers. The result proved even more significant as Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager at the time, was sacked the following morning.

After the match, the KMI panel once again unanimously agreed, by a 5-0 vote, that the VAR intervention was incorrect, and the on-field decision should have stood.

🚨 Alan Shearer on West Ham's penalty:

"Awful decision. That's a terrible decision whether you like Man Utd or not, and I don't understand why Michael Oliver got involved." pic.twitter.com/xSGq8rQVY8
— Morgan (@utdscope) October 27, 2024

Brentford 0-0 Everton - 25th November

In the 39th minute of the match, Brentford’s Christian Nørgaard was shown a red card following a VAR check for a high sliding challenge on Jordan Pickford. The referee initially let play continue, but after being advised to take another look, he changed his decision and sent Nørgaard off.

This one is slightly different to the previous two scenarios in that the KMI panel did not agree unanimously that the decision was incorrect.

What made this incident particularly unusual was the reaction afterward. The KMI panel narrowly voted 3-2 that the decision was incorrect, suggesting the red card shouldn’t have been given. Adding to the confusion, the red card was officially overturned the following week, yet PGMOL stood by the original decision, insisting that the red card was the right call, even after it had been rescinded.

BREAKING: Brentford win appeal against Christian Norgaard's red card against Everton 🚨

Norgaard will be available for Brentford's next game against Leicester. pic.twitter.com/sUAE0ukaaH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 27, 2024

Brighton 1-1 Southampton - 29th November

In November, Southampton were drawing 1-1 and searching for their second win of the season. In the 67th minute, they thought they had it when Ryan Fraser whipped a ball across the box to the back post where Cameron Archer was waiting to tap it home.

As always, VAR stepped in. But the potential offside wasn’t on Archer. Instead, attention turned to Adam Armstrong, who was standing in front of Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen when the ball was played in. Armstrong flicked a leg at the cross but didn’t make contact. Still, VAR decided he was interfering with play, claiming he obstructed Verbruggen’s ability to react, and the goal was chalked off.

After the match, Southampton received an official apology from the PGMOL, and the KMI panel later confirmed it was the wrong call, voting 5-0 unanimously that the goal should have stood.

Brighton 1 Southampton 1. Brighton move second in the table, but Saints will feel they should have won the game. After a long VAR check, Cameron Archer’s goal was disallowed because Adam Armstrong, in an offside position to the left of the penalty spot, was judged to be impacting… pic.twitter.com/UNd9jqvssm
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 29, 2024

Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa - 14th December

With the game still goalless, Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers drove into the box, shoulder to shoulder with Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson. As the run continued, Anderson appeared to have a hold of Rogers’ arm, and when they entered the area, Rogers hit the deck looking for a penalty.

This one wasn’t as clear-cut as some of the others. The incident split opinion, and the KMI panel reflected that, voting 3-2 in favour of awarding a penalty. Ultimately, it was one of those calls that could quite easily go either way at the time.

They concluded, 'Anderson grabs hold of Rogers outside of the area but this continues inside. The holding offence is clear. VAR should have intervened.'

Brighton 0-0 Brentford - 27th December

In the 75th minute, with the game still at 0-0, Yehor Yarmoliuk pulled back João Pedro as the Brighton forward looked to spark a counter attack deep in his own half. As Pedro lost control of the ball, he lashed out with a wild, MMA-style elbow aimed straight at Yarmoliuk’s head.

Luckily for the Brentford man, Pedro missed completely, swinging at thin air. The on-field referee didn’t spot the incident, but as always, VAR had a look. Bizarrely, despite the clear intent, they chose not to intervene, and no red card was shown.

After the match, both the PGMOL and the KMI panel were in full agreement that Pedro should have been sent off for violent conduct. There were no split votes, no debate - it was a clear red.

João Pedro narrowly escaped a red card because he missed on an elbow swing 😬 pic.twitter.com/OBQuUWGwwc
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 27, 2024

Liverpool 1-0 Everton - 2nd April

In last week’s Merseyside derby, with the game still at 0-0 in the 11th minute, Everton’s James Tarkowski launched into a full-blooded clearance. While he did get the ball, his follow-through was high and caught Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in a way that looked dangerous in real time.

It was one of those old-school challenges that might’ve been applauded 20 years ago, but by today’s standards, it was reckless. Even Gary Neville, on commentary, didn’t hold back, calling it a “leg breaker.”

Despite that, referee Sam Barrott only showed a yellow card. VAR had a look, as expected, but decided it wasn’t a clear and obvious error, so the on-field decision stood. Fortunately for Liverpool, they went win the game 1-0, but a few days later, the PGMOL issued an apology, admitting the tackle probably warranted a red.