Premier League issue statement on VAR as they announce number of errors made this season
The Premier League have issued a strong statement backing the use of VAR this season amid mounting criticism from players, managers and fans of the system and the standard of refereeing
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorThe Premier League have launched a staunch defence of VAR after confirming the number of errors made this season has plummeted compared to last year.
The system was introduced to the top-flight from the start of the 2019/2020 season, following a unanimous vote by clubs to bring it in. But ever since it was introduced, VAR has come under severe scrutiny.
A number of glaring errors have been made, with PGMOL chief Howard Webb now appearing on a dedicated TV show to discuss mistakes and key decisions. Fans have also been rebelling against the system over its lack of transparency for in-stadium supporters.
But with the 2024/2025 season now 25 rounds old, the Premier League have come out fighting. They revealed that there have been 11 fewer errors made by VAR this campaign than at the same stage of last season.
One of the main criticisms aimed at the system has been the length of time it takes to make decisions. But top-flight chiefs have also moved to dispell those comments, insisting serious improvements have been made this term.
The statement read: "The independent Key Match Incident (KMI) Panel was introduced in Season 2022/23, with the panel members responsible for providing analysis and an independent assessment of both on-field and VAR decisions.
"The KMI panel has deemed that the on-field accuracy of officials in the Premier League has improved this season. It is adjudged that 86 per cent of on-field decisions have been correct before the use of VAR during the first 25 match rounds, a 1 per cent increase from the 85 per cent at the same stage of the 2023/24 campaign.
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"In addition, the KMI Panel has deemed that there have been 13 VAR errors during the first 25 match rounds of the 2024/25 season, a decrease from the 24 errors at the same stage of the 2023/24 campaign.
"Lastly, VAR efficiency has also improved in the Premier League this season – the average VAR delay to matches in Season 2024/25 currently stands at 40 seconds per match, a significant reduction on the average delay of 65 seconds per match across the 2023/24 campaign."
While errors are down, the ones that have been made are glaring. The FA recently overturned a red card handed to Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly during their win over Wolves, a decision that was confirmed by VAR.
Liverpool were also left furious that Everton's late, late equaliser in the recent Merseyside Derby was allowed to stand by VAR, after claiming there had been a foul in the build-up.
And last month, former top official Mark Clattenburg hit out at the state of refereeing after Anthony Taylor fell for a dive during Nottingham Forest ’s 3-2 win over Southampton.
"Laziness has crept into refereeing. When I was reffing, we didn’t have the luxury of VAR to save us. It was on us and us alone to be as perfect as possible, including our positioning. We’ve seen a decline in standards," he told the Daily Mail.
"Anthony Taylor is supposed to be the PGMOL’s best referee, but he fell for one of the worst dives you’ll see in the Premier League. Taylor could have helped himself by getting into a much better position.
"That was only one example of the referee guessing in that game. Graham Scott was the VAR and that was his fourth game in six days at Stockley Park. His working week alone tells you what a shortage the PGMOL are suffering from."
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