It’s fair to say VAR has had an impact in the opening weeks of the Premier League season.Some fans love it. Some fans hate it.It’s certainly brought drama.But has it always brought the correct decision?Well, according to referee chiefs, VAR has only made four mistakes in the 40 matches this season.
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Mike Riley, the managing director of the elite referees body, PGMOL Ltd, has revealed that 227 checks have been made by VAR, with six decisions being overturned. However, that should stand at 10.
So, let’s take a look at the four decisions that VAR has got wrong:
August 25 | Bournemouth v Manchester City
How did David Silva not get a penalty when he was brought down by Jefferson Lerma?
Andre Marriner somehow waved play on and VAR, Kevin Friend, decided not to intervene.
August 31 | West Ham United v Norwich City
If Lerma’s foul on Silva was obvious, then what was Tom Trybull’s foul on Sebastian Haller!?
Referee Paul Tierney didn’t spot it and VAR Marriner didn’t overrule the decision, either.
August 31 | Leicester City v Bournemouth
Youri Tielemans produced a shocking tackle on Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson with his studs connecting with the striker’s shin.
You can forgive referee Peter Bankes for missing it but VAR, Martin Atkinson, should’ve checked it.
August 31 | Newcastle United v Watford
Fabian Schar’s equaliser should have been disallowed after it was handled by Isaac Hayden in the build-up. New handball rules state that should be an offence, even if it’s unintentional, as it led to a goal.
Referee Graham Scott had very little chance of seeing it in real time, while VAR Craig Pawson didn’t spot it immediately.
PGMOL have said this is human error because the VARs didn’t select the correct camera angles to see that Hayden had handled.