Video Assistant Referee errors have increased in the first half of the Premier League season, according to data from the Premier League’s independent Key Match Incidents Panel, analysed by BBC Sport on Tuesday.
The panel recorded 13 VAR errors across the opening half of the campaign, a 30% increase from the 10 errors logged at the same stage last season.
Despite the rise, the figure still represents a significant improvement over previous years, with 20 errors recorded at this point in the 2023–24 season and 23 in the 2022–23 season.
Of the 13 errors this season, 11 were missed interventions, where VAR failed to advise the referee to review an incorrect on-field decision.
This is up from seven missed interventions last season. Incorrect interventions, where VAR wrongly stepped in, fell slightly from three to two.
The total number of VAR overturns has also declined, dropping from 57 last season to 47, a decrease of 17.5 per cent, reflecting the league’s continued emphasis on the “clear and obvious” threshold.
In addition, the KMI Panel identified 15 on-field refereeing errors that did not meet the threshold for VAR intervention, up from 12 at the same stage last season.
How the KMI Panel Operates
The KMI Panel meets weekly to review all key match incidents, including goals, penalties, red cards, and second yellow cards.
It comprises five members, three former players or coaches, alongside one representative each from the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials.
Established in 2022 by Premier League clubs, the panel was designed to independently assess refereeing performance, applying the Laws of the Game and the league’s refereeing expectations rather than subjective fan or managerial opinions.
Crucially, the panel assesses the referee’s decision first, followed by VAR’s role.
In some cases, the referee may be deemed incorrect, while VAR is judged right not to intervene due to the high intervention threshold.
Full list of VAR errors this season
The 13 errors span high-profile matches and include missed red cards, penalties not awarded, and incorrect disciplinary outcomes.
Key incidents include:
Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Marcos Senesi avoided a red card for handball, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Chelsea vs Fulham – Fulham’s Josh King had a legitimate goal wrongly disallowed after 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 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 DOGSO offence.
Brentford vs Newcastle – Dango Ouattara was wrongly 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 awarded after Phil Foden was fouled in the box.
Wolves vs Manchester United – Emmanuel Agbadou’s handball, blocking a shot, went unpunished.
Everton vs Arsenal – Everton were denied a late penalty after a foul by William Saliba.
Chelsea vs Bournemouth – Gusto escaped another penalty for handball.
Brentford vs Tottenham – Cristian Romero avoided a red card for bringing down Igor Thiago when through on goal.
