Howard Webb: Only Two VAR Errors in Premier League this Season

Howard Webb has leapt to the defence of Premier League officials by insisting there have only been two VAR errors in the top flight this season.

Since being introduced in England’s top division in 2019, VAR has caused plenty of controversy, with fans frequently complaining about decisions going against their side. 

The length of time needed to make decisions has also been criticised, but PGMOL chief Webb is adamant that the use of the technology is improving and that mistakes are being cut out after a shaky start.

Speaking on the Stick to Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Webb said: ‘I don’t think we managed expectations well in terms of VAR. We knew it was always going to be a situation where it was going to do well on those clear situations, the ones where you think, “That’s clearly wrong on first view”. 

We have this independent panel which has got ex-players on it, and they judge each decision each week, and according to the panel there has only been two VAR errors this season compared to 10 at the same time last year.

VAR has caused controversy since being introduced to the Premier League in 2019

Webb admitted he was ‘frustrated’ that Bruno Fernandes’ red card was not overturned

‘We’ve been better at hitting the mark but that can change and we’re not going to get complacent, but it’s been better. For me, the biggest thing of all is that it’s been quicker. The average delay last season through VAR was 70 seconds per game and this year it’s 25 seconds. 

‘I said to the guys, “Don’t ponder for too long, if you see a situation that jumps off the screen then get involved, but if you’re having to think about it too much then just say check complete because we’ll leave it with the referee on the field”. That’s why the term, “Referee’s call” is useful.’

Arsenal supporters have been left furious after seeing Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard both sent off for kicking the ball away inside the opening five games of the season.

But Webb admitted it is a call that went against Manchester United last month that he felt the officials got wrong.

United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half of his team’s 3-0 defeat by Tottenham after catching James Maddison on the shin.

The assistant referee nearest the incident called for Fernandes to be sent off, and the attacking midfielder was shown a straight red card.

However, replays showed that Fernandes actually slipped just before making the tackle and then caught Maddison with the side of his foot rather than his studs.

Webb conceded he wished VAR stepped in at the time to correct the on-field referee, as he revealed his ‘frustration’ with how the incident was handled.

‘We released the audio and you can hear the assistant, who had a good view of the incident, say that it was awful and a 100% red for him,’ Webb said.

Fernandes was sent off after catching James Maddison on the shin at Old Trafford

Replays showed Fernandes slipped before making the challenge, but VAR stuck with the on-field decision and the Portuguese midfielder was sent off

‘From his angle, it looks it because it looks like the studs have gone up but then there is an angle, a second replay from Sky Sports, and straight away I thought that would be an overturn and it wasn’t. 

‘I was frustrated that we didn’t step in to rectify because it was clearly wrong in my opinion as he slipped and tried to trip him, but it was the side of the foot, he didn’t drive the studs in.’

Fernandes’s red card was overturned upon appeal later that week, before he was sent off again in the Europa League against Porto.

He was able to play against Aston Villa, though, as United earned a 0-0 draw in their final game before the international break.

Howard Webb was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet