The introduction of VAR was to try and rid football of the mistakes that had previously plagued the beautiful game. The extra help from the video assistant referee was designed to make the sport and matches played within it more fair. Decisions on incidents such as offsides, fouls and handballs were all supposed to get easier and a whole lot more accurate.
For the most part, that has been the case too. The number of correct decisions made has certainly increased since VAR was introduced in football. With that said, the system isn’t perfect and there are still mistakes made every once in a while. This season in the Premier League, there have already been 10 VAR-based errors where the officials have got the decision wrong, according to ESPN.
Manchester United can feel hard done by as the Red Devils have been on the receiving end of two errors, and there have been other really dubious decisions that have called into question the way in which technology has been used this season.
1
Bournemouth’s Late Winner
The first major error that VAR made this season was the decision to rule out Bournemouth’s late winner against Newcastle United back in August. Dango Ouattara thought he’d won the contest for his side at the death and secured all three points, but that wasn’t to be the case. After a lengthy VAR check, it was deemed that there had been a handball in the buildup and the effort was disallowed as a result.
It’s since been confirmed that the decision was the wrong one and the goal should have actually stood. Instead, the match finished 1-1 and the Cherries were robbed of two vital points. On the surface, it might not seem like a lot, but those extra two points would see Bournemouth sitting in the top half of the Premier League right now.
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2
Bruno Fernandes’ Red Card
September 29th 2024
The second major mistake that VAR made this season was deciding that Bruno Fernandes’ foul on James Maddison during Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur was worthy of a red card. The Portuguese midfielder was dismissed and his side were thrashed 3-0 as a result.
The decision to send Fernandes off seemed harsh at the time and that was only vindicated when the red card was rescinded by the FA after United appealed it. Playing with 10 men against Spurs undoubtedly played a role in the Red Devils’ heavy loss, so while they will have appreciated the decision being overturned, it wasn’t before it cost them.
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3
West Ham’s Late Penalty
October 27th 2024
West Ham United were awarded a late penalty during their meeting with the Red Devils in October. Matthijs de Ligt had made a challenge on Danny Ings inside the area and VAR official Michael Oliver recommended that referee David Coote award the Hammers a spot-kick as a result.
Now, it’s been revealed that the decision was the wrong one. The penalty cost United a point too as Jarrod Bowen converted from the spot to hand his side the win and it ultimately led to Ten Hag being relieved of his duties as the club’s manager the day after too.
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4
Maatsen Avoids Red Card
November 23rd 2024
Villa Park played host to the next incident as former Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen was fortunate not to receive his marching orders from the official during Unai Emery’s side’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. The moment in question saw Eagles winger Ismalia Sarr bursting through on goal as Maatsen cynically stopped him in his tracks.
Both the referee and VAR deemed that the Dutchman was not the last man, as there was a covering defender who would have been able to close down Sarr before he could get a shot away. However, the Key Match Incident panel voted in favour of a red card for the Villa man, suggesting that the wrong decision was made. At the time, Palace were leading 2-1, but the game would end up finishing all square.
5
Norgaard Sent Off vs Everton
The Brentford captain was dismissed following a 50-50 with Jordan Pickford
On first viewing of the replay, it might be argued that the decision for VAR to overturn the on-field decision of no foul and advise that Christian Norgaard be sent off for a knee-high challenge on Jordan Pickford was a fair one. However, the KMI saw things differently.
The majority instead believed that the referee’s original decision should have stood, as it was merely a case of two players both challenging for the ball fairly in the midst of a melee. It was also noted that while Norgaard did make contact with the England number one, he did attempt to retract his leg, which lowered the force and reduced the risk of injury. The dismissal was subsequently thrown out after Brentford appealed the decision.
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6
Offside Doucoure Impacts Play For Goal
December 4th 2024
Given that Everton were already three goals to the good against Wolves when this incident took place, there was no real impact on the result. However, if either side’s standing in the league table come the end of the season is influenced by goal difference, they may look back at this moment.
Earlier in the game, Orel Mangala was penalised for blocking a defender while in an offside position, which led to a 16th-minute goal being ruled out. Yet, when Abdoulaye Doucoure appeared to do the exact same thing, he went unpunished, and Craig Dawson ended up converting into his own net.
7
Anderson Avoids Penalty vs Aston Villa
December 14th 2024
The Premier League’s biggest time-wasters of the season would have been eager to move on from this decision during their victory over Aston Villa in December.
With the deadlock still unbroken, Elliot Anderson pulled down Morgan Rogers inside the area, but penalty appeals were waved away. While the initial grab occurred outside the 18-yard box, it continued for a substantial period inside, which led the Key Match Incident panel to believe it crossed the threshold required for a penalty. There was also room for debate had a penalty been awarded on the field, as VAR could have sent the referee to the monitor to determine whether Rogers had instigated the tussle. Ultimately, the consensus is that it could have gone either way.
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8
Estupinan Escapes Red Card vs West Ham
December 21st 2024
Perhaps one of the more blatant and obvious errors on the list. Entering the last 10 minutes of the game, West Ham and Brighton were level when the Hammers were awarded a free kick for a nasty challenge on Max Kilman.
The lunge was high, studs up, and made with reckless abandon. The KMI panel were almost unanimous in their view that the full-back should have been given his marching orders, or that VAR should have at least sent the referee to the pitchside monitor. Instead, they decided that no review was required, and the Ecuadorian was allowed to continue.
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9
Pedro’s Elbow vs Brentford Goes Unpunished
December 27th 2024
It was claimed that the reason why Joao Pedro wasn’t sent off for his clear attempt at elbowing Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk was that the referee wasn’t clearly and obviously wrong in his assessment of the incident. However, upon review by the KMI, they all felt otherwise.
While no contact was made with the Brazilian’s swing of the arm, the intent was abundantly clear, and had it connected, it could have caused serious damage to the defenseless Brentford man. No contact is needed for an action to be considered violent conduct, but that didn’t lead to this being overturned.
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10
Mac Allister Drags Down Soler Inside the Area
Liverpool’s trip to the London Stadium to round out 2024 was a routine 5-0 victory in the end, but things could’ve been very different if one decision had gone another way. With the visitors leading 1-0, Mohamed Kudus broke down the right-hand side and delivered a cross into the penalty area.
While it led to nothing, replays showed that Alexis Mac Allister was paying no attention to where the ball was, as he instead held onto Carlos Soler. The Spaniard went down under the pressure, and the appeal was turned away, but afterwards the KMI felt that the fact Liverpool’s Argentine midfielder wasn’t watching where the ball was and had his eyes only on the attacker should’ve seen him penalised.
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