A survey by the Football Supporters' Association has found that over 75% of Premier League fans want VAR to be removed. The survey, which included around 8,000 fans, shows that VAR has become very unpopular among supporters. When asked about VAR, 76% of fans said they do not support it, while over 70% also said it has not improved the accuracy of refereeing decisions. Almost all the fans, 97%, said VAR has made football less enjoyable, and more than 90% said it has made the matchday experience worse.
Thomas Concannon from the FSA explained that fans are unhappy with how long decisions take, how accurate they are, and how VAR reduces excitement during games. The survey also found that 94% of fans believe VAR does not make watching football on TV more enjoyable. VAR was introduced into the Premier League seven years ago, and one major complaint is that it seems designed more for TV viewers than for fans in the stadium, who often do not understand why games are delayed.
The Premier League has responded by saying their own research shows that most fans want VAR to stay, but with improvements. However, it is unlikely that VAR will be removed, as at least 14 out of the 20 clubs would need to agree to scrap it. In 2024, 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs voted to keep VAR, with only one club voting against it. VAR will also be used more widely at the next World Cup, including decisions on corners and second yellow cards.
When Thomas Concannon says that fans are unhappy with how long VAR decisions take and how they reduce excitement during games, that means the current implementation of VAR is failing to meet its intended purpose of improving the fan experience. The fact that 97% of fans say VAR has made football less enjoyable is a clear indication that something needs to change. The Premier League's decision to keep VAR despite overwhelming opposition from fans may ultimately harm the league's popularity. The widespread use of VAR at the next World Cup may only exacerbate the problem, leading to further dissatisfaction among fans.
