Controversial VAR Decisions In The Premier League 2024-25 Season
The 2024-24 Premier League season lived up to expectations as Liverpool were crowned champions. With an estimated 4.7 billion fans, the Premier League is the most watched sports league in the world, beamed in over 212 territories.
Despite the huge interest in the league by the fans, most have been left bewildered by the inconsistencies in referee decisions that affect the outcome of matches and team placement on the table. The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) says more than 100 errors were corrected with VAR and acknowledges they continue to strive to improve.
We admit VAR will never be perfect, but there were situations in the 2024-25 season that VAR failed to intervene, OR did not need to intervene, and so right here we take a look at some of those moments.
Shocking VAR Decisions In The Premier League 2204-25 Season
Declan Rice Against Brighton
Declan Rice was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 1-1 draw against Brighton in September 2024. The England International had barely touched the ball as referee Chris Kavanagh posited he had delayed the restart of the match. Manager Mikel Arteta would later on say he was ‘Amazed Amazed Amazed’ at the referee’s decision.
Tarkowski Challenge on MacAllister
Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside Derby in April, but the match was shrouded in controversy as James Tarkowski’s two-footed Challenge on Liverpool midfielder Alex MacAllister went unpunished.
Jamie Carragher thought it was ‘shocking ‘ that VAR did not give it as a red card Challenge while the PGMOL would later admit it was a mistake. Alexis MacAllister, in June this year, described it as a miracle his legs were not broken in the tackle from Everton defender James Tarkowski.
Rodgers against Manchester United
The final day of the Premier League season at Old Trafford, with Aston Villa needing a win to qualify for the Champions League. 10 men Villa took the lead as Morgan Rodgers nodded the ball off goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who failed to collect properly.
The referee instantly blew, ruling out the goal, much to the displeasure of Villa, who wrote to the PGMOL expressing their displeasure with referee Thomas Bramall. VAR could not intervene because the referee blew before the ball entered the net.
Evanilson vs Arsenal
Arsenal fans must hate the sight of VAR and its officials following the Bournemouth winner against the Gunners. The striker was adjudged to have scored with his arm, but VAR could not conclude with clear evidence that the ball had touched the elbow; the goal was given to Bournemouth.
Angry Arsenal fans referenced the Kai Havertz situation against Aston Villa, which was ruled out, and the game ended 2-2. Evanilson himself was wrongly sent off in the previous game and only had his red card rescinded just in time to face Arsenal.
Lewis Skelly Against Wolves
The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder became the 3rd youngest player to be dismissed in the Premier League when he was adjudged to have fouled Matt Doherty in the Wolves half as referee Michael Oliver thought it was solid enough for a red card, leaving manager Mikel Arteta ‘absolutely fuming’
VAR failed to intervene, but Arsenal went on to win 2-0. Arsenal was also fined 65,000 pounds after 9 players surrounded referee Michael Oliver. The red card was eventually overturned, and Lewis Skelly played the next weekend in the 5-1 win over Manchester City.
According to Squawka, the final table of the Premier League without VAR error still places Liverpool as champions with 81 points, while Arsenal finish closer to the second spot with 79 points. Manchester City, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest qualify for the Champions League while Newcastle miss out. The trio of Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester are still relegated, though
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