Former Arsenal and Everton star Anders Limpar criticized the mistakes made by VAR during the 2023-24 football season but urged fans to accept the technology as a necessary part of the game. Speaking in April 2024, Limpar acknowledged VAR’s flaws yet highlighted its importance in improving referees’ decisions across Premier League and Champions League matches.
Anders Limpar acknowledged that while VAR has led to some “dreadful mistakes,” the technology ultimately supports referees in making difficult decisions. He pointed to the benefits of goal-line technology and said VAR helps particularly in tight matches and finals by providing a safety net for officials.
Limpar criticized the inconsistency in decision-making, noting that different officials reviewing incidents often have varying opinions, which complicates the process. He expressed concern about the delays caused by VAR, which can take up to five minutes for calls such as offsides or fouls, negatively impacting the fan experience.
Despite these issues, Limpar insisted VAR should remain part of football, emphasizing that it aids the accuracy of game-changing calls and does not ruin football. He highlighted the need for clearer responsibility regarding who makes final decisions during VAR reviews, citing differing perspectives in competitions like the Champions League as a challenge.
The controversy around VAR is reflected in fan sentiment. A YouGov survey found that nearly 60% of Premier League supporters believe VAR performs poorly in penalty decisions, and over half feel the same about red card incidents. Additionally, 72% say VAR has made watching games less enjoyable, with many fans opposing its continued use.
Limpar urged fans to accept VAR as an inevitable part of modern football. He acknowledged the frustration that arises when celebrations are halted by VAR interventions but stressed that awareness of the system should temper fan reactions during matches.
In the Premier League, VAR errors have fluctuated in recent seasons, with 25 errors recorded this season compared to 18 in 2024-25. This marks an improvement from 31 errors in 2023-24 and 38 in 2022-23, though the system remains a source of division among supporters.
За матеріалами: Anders Limpar exclusive: I’ve seen some dreadful mistakes with VAR, it’s awful for fans
