Explore how VAR is reshaping decision-making, pace, and fairness in the Premier League and its impact on the league’s future.
Love it or hate it, VAR is now part of the game. But your voice matters—stand with fans demanding improvements and help preserve the flow, fairness, and soul of the world’s best league!
How VAR Is Changing the Premier League’s Flow and Fairness
Since its introduction to the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has sparked constant debate. While it was designed to bring greater fairness and reduce human error, its influence on the flow of the game and emotional experience for players and fans has created as much controversy as clarity. Now, in 2025, it’s time to assess how VAR is truly transforming the rhythm, justice, and soul of the most-watched Gameplay Interactive in the world.
The Original Goal: Reducing Game-Changing Errors
VAR was introduced with four primary objectives:
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Correct clear and obvious errors
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Support referees in crucial decisions
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Enhance fairness and accuracy
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Preserve the integrity of the league
On paper, the goals are noble. But in practice, VAR’s implementation in the Premier League has been far from smooth.
Areas VAR Reviews in the Premier League
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Goals: Offside, handball, foul in the build-up
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Penalties: Awarded or not given
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Red Cards: Dangerous tackles or violent conduct
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Mistaken Identity: Incorrect bookings or dismissals
Despite its limited remit, VAR has come to define many match outcomes.
The Impact on Match Flow
❌ Frequent Disruptions
VAR checks often lead to 2–5 minute pauses that disrupt game rhythm. For players, this affects adrenaline, momentum, and tactical flow.
🕰️ Extended Added Time
Matches now regularly see 8–10 minutes of stoppage time due to VAR delays—especially when combined with new time-keeping rules.
🧠 Mental Pressure
Players no longer celebrate goals freely. Many glance at the referee before cheering. That instinctive joy is slowly fading.
🎙️ Fan Frustration
In stadiums, fans are left in the dark. Unlike in other sports (e.g., NFL), there’s minimal communication about what’s being reviewed.
Has Fairness Improved?
✅ Yes, in Terms of Accuracy
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Wrong offside calls have significantly dropped.
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Penalties are more consistent.
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Mistaken red cards are rare now.
In that regard, VAR has served its purpose.
❌ But, Fairness ≠ Clarity
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“Clear and obvious” has become subjective.
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Offside decisions involving millimeters feel unjust.
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Handball rulings still spark confusion.
Instead of eliminating controversy, VAR has shifted it into a new digital arena.
VAR and Managerial Reactions in 2024/25
Managers across the Premier League have voiced both support and criticism of VAR this season.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
“It helps overall, but in big moments, we need transparency. Fans deserve explanations.”
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
“Sometimes it’s a coin flip. That’s not how technology should work.”
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
“VAR isn’t the issue—it’s how we use it. The implementation must improve.”
The “Gray Areas” of VAR in the Premier League
Even in 2025, several problems persist:
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Microscopic Offsides: A toe or armpit being offside still leads to disallowed goals.
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Subjective Handballs: Arm position interpretations vary by referee.
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Inconsistency Across Fixtures: Different standards applied in similar situations.
These gray areas undermine fan confidence in VAR and widen the debate about fairness.
Case Studies: VAR in Key 2024/25 Matches
🟥 Chelsea vs Manchester United
A controversial penalty and red card decision after a 4-minute VAR check changed the outcome completely.
⚽ Liverpool vs Spurs
Luis Diaz’s goal was wrongly ruled out due to a miscommunication in the VAR room—leading to an official apology from PGMOL.
🧤 Arsenal vs Aston Villa
A handball inside the box wasn’t reviewed, sparking post-match outrage from fans and pundits.
Each of these incidents sparked viral reactions and renewed criticism of the league’s officiating integrity.
The Fans’ Perspective
Surveys in 2025 show mixed opinions:
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54% support keeping VAR with improvements
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29% want it removed altogether
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17% are undecided
Fans want fairness—but not at the cost of emotion, spontaneity, and clarity.
Should VAR Be Fixed or Scrapped?
Fix Suggestions:
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Live audio explanations (like in rugby or American football)
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Time limits for reviews (e.g., 60 seconds max)
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More transparent replays in-stadium
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Clearer rule language for handball and offside
Scrapping VAR seems unlikely, but improving its delivery is essential to restoring trust.
Conclusion: A System Still in Transition
VAR is not inherently bad—it has made the Premier League more accurate. But it has also made the league more disjointed, less joyful, and at times, less fair in feel, if not in fact.
As the league evolves, so must the technology and rules that govern it. With better transparency, faster reviews, and fan-inclusive communication, VAR can become what it was always meant to be: a support tool—not the main character.
⚽ Support a Better Future for the League!
Love it or hate it, VAR is now part of the game. But your voice matters—stand with fans demanding improvements and help preserve the flow, fairness, and soul of the world’s best league!