Chelsea and Manchester United face contrasting fortunes with VAR
Chelsea have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of VAR errors this Premier League season, while Manchester United sit at the other end of the table, repeatedly on the wrong side of controversial decisions, reports BritPanorama.
Legendary referee Keith Hackett has warned that the technology is still “interfering with the flow of games,” calling for better training, specialist VAR operators, and clear accountability for mistakes.
Hackett argued that millimetre decisions and slow reviews are leaving fans unsure whether to celebrate goals, which undermines referees’ authority on the pitch.
He insisted that VAR should stay, but only if it improves over a specified period; otherwise, it risks becoming a “waste of time” that fails to deliver the fairness it promised.
This ongoing debate around VAR highlights the complexities of integrating technology into football. As clubs vie for position on the table, decisions on the pitch can easily tip the balance in a league marked by fine margins.
