Premier League VAR errors down to two after eight rounds

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has counted just two VAR errors after eight rounds of matches this season, according to BBC Sport. At the same point last season there were six.

VAR stands for video assistant referee. A team of officials watches replays in a room away from the pitch and can flag a decision for the on-field referee to check. The Premier League says VAR only steps in for four kinds of match-changing situation: goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

Even with fewer errors, the replays have kept fans talking. Manchester United were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute after Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha. Replays showed Kamara's first contact was with Cunha's foot as he won the ball.

Later, in the same game, Patrick Dorgu scored an equaliser in the 96th minute. A possible foul by Senne Lammens on Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki came before the goal.

Other calls went the other way. Kai Havertz was pulled down inside the area by Nobel Mendy. VAR Michael Oliver sent referee Farai Hallam to the pitchside monitor, a screen where referees review incidents. No penalty followed, because Havertz was offside when the ball was played to him, meaning he was in an illegal position.

Jayden Bogle fouled Mathys Tel, and referee John Brooks gave a free-kick but no card. VAR Tony Harrington did not send Brooks to the monitor to consider a red card. Coventry's Caleb Yirenkyi also appeared to have his hair pulled inside the area by Everton's James Tarkowski, but no penalty was given.

For supporters, the picture is mixed. The panel's count points to fewer mistakes, yet several decisions were still open to argument in the stands and online. Roberto De Zerbi did not blame VAR after Tottenham lost 1-0 to Leeds on 7 November, as Reuters reported. The Premier League has also published explainers on individual decisions, including a Matchweek 10 piece on why Cole Palmer was not awarded a penalty after two Sunderland players tackled him.

Refereeing is changing behind the scenes too. For the 2026/27 season, a newly created Professional Referee Group will look after referees in the Premier League and the EFL Championship. A former chief of the referees' body has urged its head, Howard Webb, to act after controversial incidents at Anfield.

For now, the numbers give the league something to point to. Each contested replay, though, still gets its own argument.