VAR Scandals: Football’s 10 Most Controversial Decisions – Ranked
VAR was brought in to make football fairer and eliminate obvious errors. But as the years have passed, the technology has sparked just as much controversy as it was meant to prevent. Here are the ten most shocking and debated VAR calls in recent memory, starting from number 10 and building up to the worst of them all.
10. Juventus vs Salernitana: Chaos in Torino
In stoppage time, Arkadiusz Milik thought he’d secured a 3-2 win for Juventus and celebrated by taking off his shirt—earning a second yellow. But the goal was ruled out due to Leonardo Bonucci being offside, despite replays later suggesting otherwise. The chaos escalated with multiple red cards, including one for coach Massimiliano Allegri.
9. Everton vs Manchester City: A Clear Handball Ignored
With City chasing the title, Rodri appeared to clearly handle the ball inside the box late in the game. Everton and their fans demanded a penalty, but VAR stayed silent. Frank Lampard fumed afterwards, saying even his three-year-old could’ve seen it was a handball.
8. Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Denied at the Death
Barcelona were pushing for an equaliser when Pedri scored, only for the goal to be disallowed for handball by Ansu Fati. TV replays showed Onana had pushed the ball into Fati’s arm while his hands were raised. Xavi called it a “real injustice” as Barça were knocked out of the Champions League soon after.
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7. Tunisia vs France: A World Cup Shock
Griezmann thought he’d scored a last-gasp equaliser for France at the 2022 World Cup, but VAR ruled it out for offside—even though a Tunisian player had touched the ball beforehand. According to FIFA’s own rules, the goal should have stood. The referee was removed from the tournament after widespread backlash.
6. Sheffield United vs Aston Villa: A Ghost Goal
In a crucial relegation battle, Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland carried the ball clearly over the line after saving a free kick. Shockingly, neither goal-line technology nor VAR intervened. Villa escaped with a point, and at the end of the season, Bournemouth were relegated—just one point behind them.
5. Manchester United vs Wolves: Penalty Snub Sparks Fury
On his debut as Wolves manager, Gary O’Neil saw his team denied a clear penalty in stoppage time when United keeper Andre Onana clattered into Sasa Kalajdzic. VAR somehow didn’t intervene, and Wolves lost 1-0. The refereeing body later admitted the decision was wrong—but too late to matter.
4. Sweden vs Azerbaijan: Isak’s Goal Wrongly Chalked Off
Alexander Isak’s perfectly legal goal was disallowed after referees ruled he had come from an offside position earlier in the play. Replays proved otherwise, but the damage was done. Although Sweden won 6-0, the blunder led to suspensions for the officiating team by the Polish football federation.
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3. Portugal vs Uruguay: FIFA Guidelines Ignored
Gimenez used his arm to brace himself during a slide tackle—legal under FIFA rules—but VAR still awarded Portugal a penalty. Bruno Fernandes made it 2-0, effectively ending the game. The decision contradicted clear guidelines and drew fierce criticism from the Uruguayan team and fans alike.
2. Arsenal vs Brentford: VAR Forgetfulness Costs Points
In a Premier League clash with title implications, Brentford’s equaliser stood despite a clear offside. VAR official Lee Mason forgot to draw the digital offside lines during the review. Arsenal dropped vital points, and Mason resigned shortly afterwards.
1. Tottenham vs Liverpool: VAR Meltdown on the Big Stage
Luis Díaz scored a legitimate goal for Liverpool, but it was incorrectly ruled offside with no lines shown and no correction from VAR. Communication completely collapsed, and the mistake wasn’t acknowledged until after the match. Liverpool lost 2-1, and fans were left furious over a decision that could’ve shaped their season.
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