The Final 2024/25 Premier League Table if Every VAR ‘Error’ Was Erased
The Premier League table without VAR errors has been revealed.
Squawka have compiled a list of mistakes and adjusted the Premier League table accordingly.
Arsenal’s fight for the title would’ve taken Liverpool down to the wire.
VAR. While it was meant to be what stopped controversial decisions infecting football, it has by and large done the exact opposite and caused mayhem and unrest among fans. Though it is meant to give definitive answers, the inconsistency and subjectivity that surrounds it has prevented that from ever truly being the case.
Even now, with the season drawn to a close, it is still causing debate. Throughout the campaign, Squawka has been asking fans whether they believe VAR got every crucial decision throughout the season right or wrong. And now, with the Premier League all wrapped up, they have revealed how the standings would look if the use of technology had meant that no mistakes were ever made.
Premier League VAR
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Premier League Table in 2024/25 Without VAR
How the Premier League table would currently look if VAR didn’t exist.
Liverpool’s Lead At the Top Cut to Two Points
Arsenal may have found themselves even closer to the title than they did in reality
Although early forecasts had pegged Arsenal to be in the hunt for the title, their chase was ultimately over well before the final day. However, findings by Squawka suggest the gap at the top may have been exaggerated by contentious officiating. Manager Mikel Arteta’s squad endured a trio of disputed red card incidents throughout the campaign, including a notable moment when VAR escalated William Saliba’s caution against Bournemouth to a sending-off. Had those decisions gone differently — or had video technology not intervened — the Gunners might have ended the season just two points adrift instead of a distant ten.
This is as a result of the runners-up gaining five extra points and Liverpool losing three. The remainder of the top four remains the same when it pertains to the clubs who occupy it, with Manchester City and Chelsea coming third and fourth respectively, but there is a major change when it comes to fifth.
Nottingham Forest have not been quiet about their issues with VAR in the past. However, they may have even more reason to be frustrated, as without the mistakes, they would be sitting in the final Champions League place, with Newcastle and Aston Villa dropping a place each.
James Tarkowski catches Alexis Mac Allister in Liverpool vs Everton
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Howard Webb Admits Error in Liverpool vs Everton as VAR Audio Emerges
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Brentford Miss Out on Best Finish in Nearly a Century
The Bees finished 10th in the real table
It was a fabulous season for Brentford. After losing main goalscorer Ivan Toney, it would’ve been easy to fear for what the future held for the Bees. But 20 Premier League goals from Bryan Mbeumo and fantastic contributions from Yoane Wissa saw Thomas Frank’s men secure a 10th-placed finish.
Yet, it should’ve been not one, but two places better. In fact, Brentford should’ve finished on 60 points instead of 56, which in this universe would’ve been enough for 8th, three points away from UEFA Conference League football. This would’ve seen Brighton and Bournemouth also drop further down the table.
The Bees had a total of four decisions go against them while none went in their favour. Only Arsenal and Aston Villa came away with worse ratios. Compare that with Brighton, one of the teams Brentford would’ve leapfrogged, who had five decisions go in their favour compared to zero against.
There also would’ve been a slight change at the top of the bottom half too, with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace overtaking Fulham to make their excellent season that little bit sweeter.
Premier League VAR
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Every Premier League VAR Mistake in 2024/25
The system isn’t immune to the occasional blunder.
Wolves Climb Above Manchester United
Matheus Cunha’s old club would’ve superseded his new one
As if things weren’t bad enough for Manchester United, if not for VAR, they would’ve seen the club they just gave £62.5 million to sitting above them in what was already a dismal campaign. Just five teams finished below the Red Devils this term, one of them being Wolves, who United have just signed Matheus Cunha from.
Had it not been for the technological errors, some could argue that the Brazilian was actually taking a step down to play at Old Trafford, as the Molineux outfit would’ve climbed up to 14th, with Ruben Amorim’s side staying in 15th.
Tottenham would also have gained one extra place to jump up to 16th, meaning that the biggest losers from all this were West Ham United, who would’ve found themselves finishing one place above the drop.
As for those who found themselves relegated, there wouldn’t have been much of a change, except for the fact that Ipswich Town could’ve called themselves the best of the worst, as they would’ve moved above Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester into 18th. While not exactly a game-changer, it still would’ve given them a slightly higher merit payment.
All statistics courtesy of Squawka and Transfermakrt – accurate as of 01/06/2025.
