Premier League reveals the FOUR errors made by VAR so far this season, with the overall total of 13 mistakes down from 20 at this stage last year – and nine interventions missed

The Premier League has revealed that there have been a total of 13 VAR mistakes so far this season – down from 20 this time last year.

VAR continues to be a major topic of debate in the world of football, with some fans and clubs in favour of the technology to improve matches and others against it due to other impacts it can have on matches.

But it is here to stay, and new data has detailed how there have been fewer mistakes made by referees on VAR duty up until the end of January.

The figures reveal that there have been four incorrect VAR interventions to change decisions made on-field, as well as nine missed interventions from the first 23 rounds of matches.

Data was found by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel, which revealed accuracy is at 96.4 per cent compared to the 95.7 per cent accuracy at the same point last season.

A total of 70 VAR interventions have been made in 239 games so far this campaign, which equates to one around every 3.41 games on average. Some of the errors have also been detailed in the findings.

The league detailed the four incorrect interventions, which include a late penalty given against Manchester United in their 2-1 win over West Ham

Former United manager Erik ten Hag was sacked after the game, with the Hammers scoring the last-minute spot kick

The league did not detail the missed errors, but did provide the four incorrect interventions made by officials.

The first error was Dango Ouattara’s disallowed goal for Bournemouth against Newcastle in August. Ouattara thought he had put the Cherries 2-1 up late on, but VAR Tim Robinson ruled it out for handball after it was given on-field by David Coote.

The goal was deemed a factual error rather than subjective, so Coote was not sent to review the goal on the monitor. The panel, however, ruled it should have stood.

Error No 2 was a penalty given against Matthijs De Ligt in Manchester United’s defeat by West Ham on October 27. Jarrod Bowen netted from the spot to give the Hammers a 2-1 win, which proved to be Erik ten Hag’s last game in charge of United.

Coote did not give the penalty on-field, but Michael Oliver suggested a review. After the review, Coote gave the penalty, which has been decided to have been the wrong call.

Christian Norgaard, meanwhile, was sent off for Brentford against Everton back in November in a decision that was eventually overturned.

Referee Chris Kavanagh did not award even a free-kick in the game, but VAR Matt Donohue recommended a VAR check. After that, the Dane was sent off, with Brentford drawing the game 0-0. That is the third error listed.

The final intervention that was adjudged to have been incorrect was as recently as last month in Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 win over Southampton.

Nikola Milenkovic scored with a header in the game, which was adjudged to have been fair by Anthony Taylor. VAR Graham Scott recommended a review for interference by Chris Wood, who was offside, and the goal was ruled out. Incorrectly so, it was adjudged.

Nikola Milenkovic had a goal ruled out for offside against Southampton last month with a header that should have stood

‘Nobody here underestimates the significance and the impact of one single error,’ said chief football officer Tony Scholes.

‘We know that one single error can cost clubs. Points and results can cost managers positions, potentially players their place.’

He added: ‘We all have a responsibility to have some balance in the comments that are made.

‘We cannot have the officials, such a key part of a successful and entertaining league, facing the kind of abuse that occurs on occasion.

‘These guys are good. I know that is not always the perception, but the rest of the world recognise how good they are.’

Scholes, meanwhile, also said that there has been significant progress made on semi-automated offsides over the last ‘four to six weeks’.

It had been hoped that the technology, already used in world and European competitions, would be ready to be introduced late last year. 

Though the introduction is behind schedule, there is still potential that it will be introduced this season.

Chief football officer Tony Scholes acknowledged the impact that one single error can have

Police, meanwhile, have been investigating threats aimed at Michael Oliver after Arsenal’s win over Wolves

‘This technology doesn’t improve the accuracy, it makes the process more efficient,’ Scholes said. ‘Why wouldn’t you introduce it if you are absolutely confident it is ready?’

League officials hope it will reduce the time taken to check offsides by an average of 31 seconds.

Police, meanwhile, have been investigating threats aimed at Oliver after he sent Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly off against Wolves.

The decision was overturned and Lewis-Skelly free to play the next game – scoring against Manchester City at the weekend.