Five years on, VAR remains widely disliked by fans despite clubs voting to keep it. Supporters cite delays, confusion and lost spontaneity, with many feeling it hasn’t improved accuracy. Surveys show overwhelming opposition, with most believing it harms the matchday experience.
Five years on from its introduction, VAR is still described being one of the most "divisive" innovations in Premier League history, yet if you speak to match-going fans, those that watch on TV, broadcasters, journalists, head coaches, and the footballers themselves - there is nothing "divisive" about it.
Put simply, no-one likes it.
Bafflingly though, in 2024, 19 out of 20 top-flight clubs voted to keep VAR, with only Wolves voting against it.
Bournemouth's Key VAR Incidents
Bournemouth fans, like many supporters in the Premier League, have got used to watching VAR mishaps on a weekly basis. Of course, some interventions have been beneficial to the Cherries, and others - not so much, but regardless of the "rights and wrongs" of each individual decision, fans are frustrated at the way the technology has been utilised.
Many supporters have suggested that it has killed the spontaneity of the sport, making it often feel like your afternoon is being spent not raucously cheering on your team as it should be, but instead waiting for the buffoons at Stockley Park to master trigonometry before reporting back to the on-pitch referee.
There have been a number of high-profile VAR issues that have affected Bournemouth in recent years. Even in Cherries' last match, the system took centre-stage with many United supporters pointing out its flaws in a 2-2 draw which saw referee Stuart Atwell wave-away a pull back on Amad Diallo before Ryan Christie equalised moments later.
Also, in the previous season's home fixture between the Cherries and the Red Devils, Evanilson was booked in a pulsating clash, at which point Cherries were 1-0 up. However, VAR intervened, told the referee to send the Brazilian striker off, and then Manchester United equalised against ten-man AFCB at the death. A few days later, another panel looked at the incident again and declared that the referee's original decision was indeed correct, and the red card was rescinded.
Make it make sense.
Plus, the season before that, Cherries and Wolves fans had an EIGHT minute wait after the powers that be couldn't work out a simple offside decision - a delay which itself brings into question how anything can be either clear or obvious if takes that long to sort it out.
The FSA's Startling Poll Results
A wide-ranging survey conducted by the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) highlights the depth of feeling among fans, revealing overwhelming dissatisfaction. Of nearly 8,000 respondents across all 20 top-flight clubs, three-quarters said they are against VAR, while an astonishing 91% believe football is better off without it. Even more striking, 97% of supporters said VAR has failed to make the game more enjoyable.
The core issue, according to fans, is not just the decisions themselves but the impact on the matchday experience. A huge 91% feel VAR has damaged the spontaneity of goal celebrations — once one of football’s most cherished elements. Moments of pure joy are now often replaced by hesitation, with supporters waiting anxiously for checks to be completed before celebrating.
Action Images via Reuters/Paul ChildsConcerns over efficiency and clarity are also widespread. Just 3% of fans believe VAR decisions are delivered within a reasonable timeframe, while 74% say the reasoning behind decisions is unclear. And despite its purpose, 72% of respondents do not believe VAR has improved refereeing accuracy, suggesting that controversy remains as prevalent as ever — if not more so.
Ultimately, the survey paints a stark picture: while VAR may be here to stay, it continues to erode the very essence of what makes football special for those who matter most — the fans.