The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel has pinpointed 18 VAR errors throughout the 2024-25 season, marking an improvement on the previous campaign. This figure represents a significant decrease from the previous season, although some will still have expected flawlessness with the introduction of the new technology. All 20 clubs in the league cast their votes on retaining VAR ahead of the season, with Wolves being the only club to advocate for its complete removal. Despite the league’s persistence with Video Assistant Referees, there were widespread calls for modifications to enhance the process. Premier League clubs advocated for more frequent and improved training for referees in an attempt to better the current state of play. They also requested for fixed teams of VAR officials to foster better understanding among officials, as well as advocating for a drastic reduction in delays and improved messaging for fans in stadiums, with the latter being a frequently voiced concern for match-going fans. So, let’s talk about those 18 mistakes during the 2024-25 season. The Key Match Officials panel is made up of former players and/or coaches, along with one representative each for the Premier League and PGMOL. ESPN has illuminated the mistakes identified by the panel over the course of the most recent Premier League season. Here, Mirror Football provides further insight into the errors – as well as which clubs were affected more than others, reports the Mirror . 1. Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth vs Newcastle). The first VAR blunder occurred on the inaugural weekend of the season. Bournemouth striker Ouattara believed he had netted a last-minute winner, only for it to be disallowed due to handball. The KMI panel unanimously agreed that VAR made an incorrect call. That extra point for Newcastle was indeed beneficial, with Eddie Howe’s squad ultimately securing a Champions League spot solely based on goal difference, although it’s overly simplistic to claim that a decision on the opening weekend was the deciding factor. 2. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd vs Tottenham). Another unanimous vote here. Fernandes received a straight red card during Manchester United’s home defeat to Tottenham in September, with all five panellists deeming this to be an error. United were 1-0 down at the time and ended up losing 3-0. Fernandes’ suspension was eventually overturned on appeal, allowing the Portuguese player to return to the pitch. 3. Matthijs de Ligt (West Ham vs Man Utd). The KMI panel votes on both the referee and the VAR in these cases. As with the Ouattara incident, the panel unanimously supported the on-field referee but disagreed with the VAR intervention. Initially, no penalty was given after United defender De Ligt tackled Hammers forward Danny Ings late in the second half. A lengthy VAR review led referee Michael Oliver to award a penalty, which Jarrod Bowen successfully converted from 12 yards to secure West Ham’s victory. 4. Christian Norgaard (Everton vs Brentford). Brentford skipper Norgaard was sent off with a straight red in the first half during their stalemate at Everton after a challenge on Toffees’ keeper Jordan Pickford, prompting VAR to step in. The decision has sparked debate, as reported by ESPN: “The panel were split (3:2), with the majority deeming the on-field decision correct as ‘both players are committed to normal footballing actions.’ Two panelists deemed the on-field decision incorrect as ‘whilst this was a challenge for the ball, there was a high, full and forceful contact with the studs.'”. 5. Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace). VAR’s absence in certain situations has also been questioned, such as Maatsen’s tackle on Ismaila Sarr, which some believe warranted a sending off. The contention lies in whether Maatsen’s foul on Sarr denied a clear scoring chance. Despite the referee and VAR not spotting a clear error, the panel remains unconvinced about the presence of a covering defender. 6. Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton vs Wolves). Some VAR decisions, or lack thereof, didn’t significantly impact the game’s result. This was the case when Everton, already leading by three against Wolves, got away with what the panel views as a mistaken non-call. Doucoure was deemed not to be interfering while in an offside position during the build-up to a Craig Dawson own goal. Interestingly, Everton had previously seen a goal disallowed for a similar offence but were not penalised a second time. 7. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa). There was considerable late drama when Forest triumphed over Villa in December, with the home team netting twice in the final five minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. However, the VAR controversy in the match occurred early on when the scores were still level. Villa called for a penalty as Forest midfielder Anderson pulled back Morgan Rogers, but no penalty was given. The KMI panel argued by a margin of three to two that there was enough holding inside the box to warrant a penalty. 8. Pervis Estupinan (West Ham vs Brighton). When West Ham and Brighton battled to a draw in December, all the drama unfolded after half-time. Mats Wieffer and Mohammed Kudus traded goals, while Brighton defender Estupinan risked a late red card for serious foul play. Neither the on-pitch referee or the VAR believed the Ecuadorian should be sent off for his foul on Max Kilman, but the KMI panel disagreed. “The action of Estupinian has speed, force, intensity and endangers the safety of the opponent,” they stated. 9. Joao Pedro (Brighton vs Brentford). Just one week later, another Brighton player avoided a red card. Joao Pedro swung an elbow at Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk but remained on the pitch. The Brazilian didn’t make contact with his opponent, but this doesn’t mean he should have avoided a sending off. Indeed, the KMI panel unanimously agreed that the officials made a mistake. 10. Alexis Mac Allister (West Ham vs Liverpool). After benefiting from a VAR penalty error in October, West Ham found themselves on the receiving end in December. They might feel it could have significantly impacted the game, with a 1-0 deficit ballooning into a 5-0 loss following the decision. Mac Allister was seen throwing Carlos Soler to the ground off the ball, with the KMI panel divided on the call as some argued it had no influence on the game. The defeat turned out to be Julen Lopetegui’s final match at the London Stadium, with the manager sacked after a loss at Manchester City a few days later. 11. Wes Burns (Ipswich vs Brighton). After reaping the benefits of VAR mistakes in December, Brighton found themselves on the opposite side in January. The Seagulls appealed for an early penalty at Ipswich after Burns obstructed Jan Paul van Hecke, but the appeal was dismissed. Ultimately it didn’t matter too much, with Fabian Hurzeler’s team going on to secure a 2-0 victory. However, had they failed to break the deadlock, they may well have ruminated on that overlooked call. 12. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest vs Southampton). Nottingham Forest’s victory over Southampton in January was more nerve-wracking than necessary. This tension was partly due to the hosts seeing their 3-0 lead shrink to a narrow 3-2, and also due to a disallowed goal that could have prevented this. Milenkovic believed he had extended the lead to 4-1 shortly after the Saints’ first goal, only for it to be ruled out for offside against his teammate Chris Wood. However, according to the panel, Wood did not interfere with an opponent and the goal should have been allowed. 13. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Wolves vs Arsenal). Arsenal’s young player, Lewis-Skelly, was shown a red card in the first half at Molineux for halting a counter-attack. There was no dispute about him being penalised for his foul on Matt Doherty, but the visitors were taken aback by the severity of the punishment. Despite this setback, Arsenal still managed to win the match, with Wolves also finishing the game with 10 players. Lewis-Skelly’s suspension was subsequently overturned. “Yeah obviously really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us,” said Gunners manager Mikel Arteta. 14. Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton vs Aston Villa). After the error in January, we had to wait until April for another VAR decision that the KMI panel deemed incorrect. Interestingly, it was one of two on the same day. Brighton’s rising star Hinshelwood escaped any repercussions for a challenge on Jacob Ramsey, which led the pundit panel to unanimously concur that Aston Villa should have been awarded a spot-kick. Nonetheless, the decision had no bearing on the final outcome as Unai Emery’s squad triumphed with a 3-0 victory. 15. James Tarkowski (Liverpool vs Everton). Another contentious VAR call occurred on April 2, sparking a unanimous reaction from the KMI experts. Everton’s Tarkowski only received a caution for his tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, although many believed at the time he deserved marching orders. “The clear dangerous nature of the challenge is not mitigated by Tarkowski winning the ball first,” the KMI panel opined. “A clear example of endangering the safety of an opponent.” 16. Caoimhin Kelleher (Fulham vs Liverpool). April saw Liverpool experience only their second league defeat when they faced Fulham at Craven Cottage. Despite a polemic episode where they were denied a penalty, the London club persisted and emerged victorious at 3-2. Kelleher, Liverpool’s goalie, wasn’t penalised for bringing down Fulham’s Andreas Pereira since the Brazilian had already dispatched the ball across. Though unscathed by this incident, Kelleher’s relief didn’t prevent Fulham from clinching the win. 17. Evanilson (Bournemouth vs Man Utd). The drama continued for Bournemouth, recalling the discord of the season opener. In another debatable VAR situation, Andoni Iraola’s troops might feel wronged, as they were leading by a solitary goal but ultimately settled for a draw. Evanilson was shown the red card following a tackle on United’s Noussair Mazraoui. However, he seemed to slip into the challenge, a point noted in the panel’s explanation, leading to the Brazilian’s ban being ultimately rescinded. 18. Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich vs Brentford). We conclude with relegated Ipswich, who were already demoted when they received an inconsequential reprieve against Brentford. Defender Tuanzebe pulled Bees counterpart Nathan Collins to the turf, but no penalty was given. The panel contended that the grappling between the players was not mutual, with Tuanzebe clutching his opponent with both arms. The decision had no impact on the outcome, with Brentford leading 1-0 at the time and winning by the same margin. Who benefited the most… and who suffered. Brentford bore the brunt of these incorrect decisions, finding themselves on the receiving end three times and not profiting from a mistake even once. At the opposite end of the spectrum are Everton, who benefited three times and lost out on none. ESPN also examined the biggest beneficiaries of VAR decisions – not just those errors listed above – over the course of the season. Newcastle lead the pack in this regard, with 13 decisions in their favour and just four against, while Bournemouth are at the other end after four decisions in their favour and 11 against. Three clubs – Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester City – experienced no VAR errors throughout the entire season. Indeed, City only had four VAR interventions in their matches altogether – three in their favour and one against.