A large majority of supporters of Premier League clubs say the video assistant referee (VAR) has damaged the matchday experience, according to a new survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).
The survey, which gathered responses from just under 8,000 fans across all 20 top-flight clubs, found that more than 90 per cent of respondents believe VAR has worsened the experience of attending matches.
The findings also revealed that 91 per cent of supporters said the technology has harmed the spontaneity of goal celebrations, while 94 per cent disagreed that it has made watching football on television more enjoyable.
According to a report by BBC Sport on Monday, the FSA’s Premier League network manager, Thomas Concannon, said the results reflect growing frustration among football fans.
“The results show that most fans want VAR removed. We’ve all lived with VAR for so long now that we’ve seen the negative impact it’s had on the game,” Concannon told BBC Sport.
He noted that long delays in decision-making and uncertainty surrounding reviews remain major concerns for supporters.
“People are annoyed about the time that it takes, annoyed about the accuracy, and annoyed about the [reduced] spontaneity. It does take away from what football is meant to be and what those special moments are about,” he added.
In response, the Premier League acknowledged the concerns raised by fans but defended the continued use of the technology, emphasising ongoing efforts to improve how VAR is implemented.
In a statement, the league said it recognises the need to minimise the impact of VAR on the supporter experience and is continuing discussions with fan groups.
“As part of ongoing dialogue with supporters, Premier League research indicates fans are largely in favour of keeping VAR, but improving the way it is used,” the league said.
The survey results highlight an ongoing divide between football authorities and supporters, with many fans calling for the removal of VAR while league organisers continue to back reforms and refinements rather than abandoning the technology entirely.
