Since the introduction of VAR, many fans have questioned the application of the software and the impact it has had on the game. This season has thrown up decisions that have been hotly debated, in a similar manner to previous seasons. But what decisions have been debated, and were they correct?
VAR Controversies Take Centre Stage: Chelsea vs Fulham
In the most recent encounter at Stamford Bridge, BBC Match of the Day Commentator Jonathan Pearce witnessed a decision to disallow a Fulham goal, stating, “We may as well make football a non-contact sport.”
Fulham thought that they had taken a deserved lead in the affair and had created a memorable moment, whereby young midfielder Josh King had scored his first competitive goal for the club. However, the goal was soon disallowed for what was adjudged to be a “careless challenge” from Fulham number nine Rodrigo Muniz by Rob Jones.
However, the “careless challenge” that this statement was concerning was when Rodrigo Muniz stepped on the foot of Trevoh Chalobah, who was looking to tackle from behind, when Muniz was in the middle of producing a roulette skill move.
Therefore, Muniz’s “careless challenge” that had disallowed the goal was in fact not a challenge, yet a skill move that was disrupted by a challenge from Trevoh Chalobah. However, Muniz was adjudged to have committed the challenge, much to the bemusement of many who believed it was clearly not the case.
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VAR Controversies Take Centre Stage: Manchester United vs Burnley
A decision in the match taking place between Manchester United and Burnley relates to a lack of clarity on rulings. However, this ruling ensured Bruno Fernandes dispatched a penalty to give the Red Devils three points.
Burnley winger Jaidon Anthony was adjudged to have pulled back Amad Diallo, which was a clear offence that cannot be argued. However, the debate is due to the location of the offence.
Many videos show decisive angles that indicate the pulling started outside the box and continued inside the box when Diallo went to the floor. Therefore, although Diallo was felled in the box, the offence first took place outside of the box.
This has led many fans to question the application of the rules in circumstances like these. If Anthony is clearly seen to be pulling the shirt of Amad Diallo outside the box first, then many will believe that the first offence should be pulled up and a free kick given, rather than waiting until the player hits the ground to gain a more advantageous set-piece situation.
VAR Controversies Take Centre Stage: Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Another one of this season’s VAR controversies took place in the first match at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea took on Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze looked to have given the Eagles the lead with a thunderous free kick that may have been a parting gift before his move to Arsenal.
However, this goal was disallowed because a player was encroaching within one metre of the wall, going against a rule that had been in place since 2019. Although fans are unable to debate a rule that has been in the rulebook for such a long time, fans can debate the application of the rule.
This rule has not consistently been applied, in fact, many fans will not remember a situation where a referee has disallowed a free kick due to this.
Two years ago, Sky Sports released a compilation on YouTube of prolific free-kick scorer James Ward-Prowse’s best goals. In many of the clips that took place after 2019, Southampton players looked to be within one metre of the opposition wall, thus presenting one example whereby the referee has not consistently applied such a rule, in fact, quite the opposite.
Conclusion
VAR as a technical concept and the capabilities it offers are notable and, if used correctly, would be fair for football across the world. However, the application of the system remains far from adequate, and the implementation of rules remains far from consistent.
Many fans will be hoping that this improves sooner rather than later, and the integrity of football remains.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Paul Marriott
Recording Date: 30.08.2025