The 18 VAR Mistakes in the 2024/25 Premier League Season – Ranked

June 26, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

While VAR was introduced to improve fairness in football, the 2024/25 Premier League season proved that the system is far from flawless. The Key Match Incident (KMI) panel confirmed 18 high-profile errors where video technology either failed to correct or directly caused officiating mistakes. Here's a detailed breakdown of each incident.

1. Bournemouth – Dango Ouattara

Ouattara scored a dramatic late goal against Newcastle, seemingly sealing a 2-1 win. However, VAR ruled the goal out for an alleged handball in the buildup. The decision was later admitted to be incorrect — there was no infraction. Bournemouth were robbed of two crucial points in the relegation battle.

2. Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United

In United’s clash with Spurs, Fernandes was shown a straight red for a tackle on Maddison after VAR intervened. Though the challenge looked harsh, it wasn’t dangerous enough for dismissal. The red card was rescinded on appeal, but United had already lost 3-0 while playing a man down.

3. West Ham vs Man United – De Ligt/Ings

Matthijs de Ligt — Cesar Ortiz Gonzalez / Shutterstock.com

Late in the game, VAR recommended a penalty after minimal contact between De Ligt and Ings in the box. The spot-kick was awarded and converted, costing United the game. The call was widely criticized, and KMI confirmed the decision should never have been made.

4. Ian Maatsen – Aston Villa

Maatsen cynically fouled Ismaïla Sarr as he raced through on goal, yet no red card was shown. VAR declined to send the referee to the monitor, assuming a covering defender was close enough. KMI disagreed, labeling it a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

5. Christian Nørgaard – Brentford

Nørgaard was sent off against Everton after VAR overruled the on-field decision of no foul. Replays showed both players going for the ball equally, and Nørgaard even tried to pull out of the challenge. The dismissal was overturned post-match, but the damage was already done.

6. Abdoulaye Doucouré – Everton

An earlier goal had been disallowed due to offside interference in a near-identical situation. Yet when Doucouré blocked a defender while offside, the resulting own goal stood. The inconsistency was called out by KMI, who deemed the goal should have been ruled out.

7. Elliot Anderson – Newcastle

Anderson tugged Morgan Rogers from outside into the box, but no penalty was given. The hold continued well into the area, making it a valid penalty situation. KMI considered this a borderline but ultimately incorrect non-call, suggesting the foul was sustained enough to warrant a spot-kick.

8. Pervis Estupiñán – Brighton

Pervis Estupinan — lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Estupiñán lunged in dangerously on Max Kilman, leading to a free kick but no further punishment. The studs-up challenge was high and reckless, clearly endangering the opponent. VAR declined to review the incident, but KMI agreed it was a clear red card offense.

9. Joao Pedro – Brighton

Pedro swung his elbow toward Yarmolyuk in what looked like a clear act of violent conduct. Even though there was no contact, the intent was obvious. The laws of the game don’t require contact for a red card, and KMI confirmed Pedro should have been sent off.

10. Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool

During a corner, Mac Allister grabbed Carlos Soler and brought him down without watching the ball. The referee dismissed appeals, but replays showed it was deliberate holding. KMI called it a textbook foul and believed VAR should have intervened.

11. Wes Burns – Ipswich

Burns held onto van Hecke during a set piece, preventing the Brighton defender from reaching the ball. The incident went unnoticed, but KMI stated that Burns made no attempt to play the ball. His actions should have resulted in a penalty to Brighton.

12. Chris Wood / Nikola Milenkovic – Nottingham Forest

Milenkovic scored from a cross while Wood was in an offside position but not interfering with play. Despite this, VAR disallowed the goal. KMI found that Wood’s presence had no impact and that the goal should have stood — a clear case of misunderstanding the offside law.

13. Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal

The young left-back was sent off for a tactical foul in the first half vs Wolves. The challenge wasn’t reckless, nor did it prevent a clear goal chance. KMI and pundits alike labeled the red card as one of the worst calls in Premier League history, later overturned after appeal.

14. Jack Hinshelwood – Brighton

Hinshelwood tripped Jacob Ramsey inside the box during a 1v1 situation, but no penalty was awarded. VAR didn’t review the clear foul, allowing play to continue. KMI’s review described it as a “careless and blatant” infringement that should’ve been penalized.

15. James Tarkowski – Everton

In the Merseyside derby, Tarkowski made a two-footed lunge at Mac Allister, catching him heavily after the ball. Despite winning the ball first, the force and danger were high. KMI said he should have seen red, highlighting that contact with the ball doesn't excuse reckless play.

16. Caoimhin Kelleher – Liverpool

Kelleher rushed out to challenge Andreas Pereira early in the match and collided with him in the box. Though Pereira had already played the ball, no foul was called. KMI determined it was a clear penalty and a missed opportunity for Fulham to take the lead.

17. Evanilson – Bournemouth

Evanilson was shown a red card for a late sliding tackle on Mazraoui, but he lost his footing during the challenge. While it looked bad, replays showed it was accidental. KMI believed he should have been given the benefit of the doubt and the red card rescinded.

18. Axel Tuanzebe – Ipswich

Tuanzebe held Brentford’s Nathan Collins tightly around the waist during a corner. Though both players fell, it was not mutual. KMI stated that Tuanzebe made no effort to play the ball and should have conceded a penalty for deliberate holding.