75% of fans oppose VAR in Premier League, says FSA

A large majority of football supporters in England are increasingly dissatisfied with the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the Premier League, according to a recent survey conducted by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). The findings highlight growing frustration among fans regarding how the technology is impacting both the live match experience and the overall enjoyment of the sport.

The survey gathered responses from nearly 8,000 supporters representing all 20 clubs competing in the Premier League this season. The results revealed that approximately three-quarters of those surveyed are opposed to the continued use of VAR. This strong sentiment reflects a widespread belief that the system has failed to deliver the improvements that were initially promised when it was introduced.

One of the most striking outcomes of the survey is that 90% of respondents disagreed with the idea that VAR has enhanced the matchday experience. For many fans attending games in stadiums, the introduction of the technology has disrupted the natural flow of football, replacing immediate decisions with lengthy delays and uncertainty.

Additionally, 91% of supporters stated that VAR has negatively affected the spontaneity of goal celebrations. Traditionally, scoring a goal has been one of the most emotional and unfiltered moments in football. However, with VAR checks often following goals, fans now find themselves hesitating before celebrating, unsure whether the goal will ultimately stand.

The dissatisfaction extends beyond stadium experiences to those watching matches at home. According to the survey, 94% of fans believe that VAR has not improved, and may even have worsened, the experience of watching football on television. Instead of adding clarity, the system has often introduced confusion and prolonged interruptions that detract from the excitement of the game.

Thomas Concannon, who spoke on behalf of the FSA, emphasized that the survey results clearly indicate a desire among fans for VAR to be removed altogether. He pointed out that after several years of living with the system, supporters have had ample time to assess its impact—and many are unhappy with what they have experienced.

Concannon explained that fans are frustrated by several aspects of VAR, including the time it takes to make decisions, the perceived lack of accuracy, and the way it diminishes key moments in matches. He argued that these issues undermine the essence of football, which is built on passion, immediacy, and emotional connection.

In response to the survey, the Premier League acknowledged the concerns raised by supporters but offered a different perspective. The league stated that it recognizes the importance of improving the supporter experience and is committed to ongoing dialogue with fans. According to its own research, the Premier League claims that many supporters are in favor of retaining VAR, provided that its implementation is refined and improved.

The FSA survey also provided deeper insights into the extent of dissatisfaction among fans. A significant proportion of respondents—72%—disagreed with the notion that VAR has made refereeing decisions more accurate. This is particularly notable given that one of the primary objectives of introducing VAR was to reduce errors and increase fairness in officiating.

Furthermore, 74% of fans reported that they do not clearly understand the reasoning behind decisions made using VAR. This lack of transparency has contributed to confusion and frustration, as supporters often feel left in the dark about how and why certain calls are made.

Another major concern is the potential expansion of VAR’s role in the game. According to the survey, 86% of fans are worried about the possibility of VAR being used in more situations. For example, many respondents opposed the idea of using VAR to determine whether corners have been awarded correctly, with 72% against this proposal. Similarly, 52% expressed opposition to using VAR to review second yellow card decisions—both of which are set to be introduced at this summer’s World Cup.

Recent data has also indicated that errors involving referees and VAR are actually increasing in the Premier League, further fueling skepticism about the system’s effectiveness. Concannon noted that discussions about refereeing decisions have become more frequent and intense since VAR was introduced, despite the technology being designed to reduce controversy.

He acknowledged that the financial stakes in modern football are extremely high, which makes accuracy in decision-making crucial for clubs and leagues. However, he argued that this focus on precision can come at the expense of the fan experience. For instance, decisions based on extremely fine margins—such as marginal offside calls—can feel unfair or overly technical to supporters.

Concannon suggested that unless VAR can be made faster and more decisive, and unless it significantly reduces debate and controversy, fans will continue to oppose its use. The current system, he argued, fails to deliver on these expectations, leading many supporters to question its value.

Efforts to improve communication with fans have also been met with mixed reactions. The introduction of referees announcing decisions over stadium speaker systems was intended to increase transparency. However, fewer than half of the survey respondents believe this has improved their understanding of decisions, indicating that more work is needed in this area.

Interestingly, while VAR faces widespread criticism, fans remain strongly supportive of other forms of technology in football. For example, 93% of respondents expressed approval of goalline technology, which is widely regarded as a successful and unobtrusive innovation.

Despite the negative sentiment among fans, the likelihood of VAR being removed from the Premier League appears low. In 2024, a vote among the league’s clubs resulted in 19 out of 20 teams choosing to retain the system. Wolverhampton Wanderers were the only club to vote against VAR, having initiated the proposal themselves.

For VAR to be scrapped, at least 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs would need to vote in favor of its removal following a formal proposal. Given the previous vote, such a scenario currently seems unlikely.

From a statistical perspective, the Premier League continues to defend VAR. The independent Key Match Incident (KMI) review panel estimates that refereeing decisions have achieved an accuracy rate of between 96% and 97% since the system’s introduction. Additionally, the league reports that delays caused by VAR have decreased by 25% over the past two seasons.

Supporters of VAR also point to specific examples where the absence of the technology has led to significant errors. One such case occurred during an FA Cup match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United, where three major refereeing mistakes were made. This match has been cited as evidence of the benefits that VAR can provide.

The Premier League maintains that VAR plays a crucial role in ensuring correct decisions. According to the league, there are approximately 100 instances each season where VAR overturns incorrect calls, preventing goals from being wrongly awarded or disallowed and ensuring that penalties and red cards are applied appropriately.

The league also emphasized that it uses a high threshold for VAR intervention, meaning that on-field referees retain significant authority. This approach is intended to make VAR less intrusive compared to other competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League, where interventions occur more frequently.

Despite these arguments, the FSA believes that the voices of supporters should not be ignored. Concannon stressed that fans are the foundation of the sport and that their concerns deserve to be taken seriously. He expressed disappointment that supporters often feel unheard, despite being described as the “lifeblood” of football.

Ultimately, the debate over VAR reflects a broader tension between technological advancement and the traditional values of the game. While the system aims to improve fairness and accuracy, many fans feel that it has come at the cost of enjoyment and authenticity.

As discussions continue, the challenge for the Premier League will be to find a balance that satisfies both the need for accurate officiating and the desire to preserve the emotional and spontaneous nature of football.