The utilization of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has emerged as a contentious issue in the Premier League this season, as a number of matches have been affected by disputable decisions. Despite expressions of regret and acknowledgments of ‘significant human error’ from Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb, high-profile teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur have been forced to confront the reality of their league standings in the absence of VAR intervention.
In the absence of VAR, teams such as Sheffield United, Luton Town, and Burnley would find themselves positioned at the bottom of the table with fewer points than they have accrued with VAR. Conversely, Aston Villa and Fulham would stand to benefit the most in a VAR-less scenario, while Wolves, Liverpool, West Ham, and Sheffield United have incurred the greatest suffering as a result of subpar officiating.
Of note, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Tottenham are engaged in close competition for Europa League qualification, irrespective of VAR involvement. Meanwhile, Manchester United would encounter difficulties in securing European football, currently positioned in a modest eighth place with just 52 points in the absence of VAR.
The undeniable impact of VAR on the Premier League standings has ignited discussions and deliberations among football enthusiasts. This inevitably prompts crucial considerations concerning the extent to which technology should be interwoven with football officiating and how it shapes the dynamics of the sport.