The five worst VAR decisions in Premier League history

VAR controversy has gone to a new level this season with decision-making becoming increasingly confused and PGMOL apologies more common.

The system has been in place for four-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League and has never been so unpopular.

We take a look at five decisions that been particularly disputed since it was introduced. 

Andre Onana foul vs Wolves

For everything that has gone against Wolves this season, they deserve at least one of these top five slots.

The denial of an obvious penalty when 1-0 down in the dying moments at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the campaign resulted in the first apology of the season heading Gary O'Neil's way.

Andre Onana ventured out of his goal, missed the ball and wrapped his arms around Sasa Kalajdzic's head — but nothing was awarded.

Rodri handball vs Everton

Few decisions have had the same direct bearing on the outcome of a season as when Rodri avoided punishment for what appeared to be an obvious handball against Everton in February 2022.

The Spaniard clearly controlled the bouncing ball with his upper arm in the penalty box, yet appeals were waved away and nothing was forthcoming from VAR.

City held onto their 1-0 lead and eventually claimed the league title by one point in May.

Sheffield United 'goal' vs Aston Villa

Though technically a goal-line technology error, this bizarre mistake in the first Premier League game back from the Covid-enforced suspension in 2020 could still have been fixed by VAR.

Ollie Norwood's free-kick for Sheffield United was fumbled over the line by Aston Villa stopper Orjan Nyland, yet Hawk-eye did not alert referee Michael Oliver to the goal as "the seven cameras located in the stands were significantly occluded by the goalkeeper, defender and goalpost".

VAR chose not to intervene due to the "unique" circumstances, a decision which helped enable Villa to survive relegation by one point a few weeks later.

Jordan Pickford tackle on Virgil van Dijk

Jordan Pickford's reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk in October 2020 went unpunished as the defender was marginally offside in the build-up.

Yet ref Oliver should surely have been instructed to dismiss the Everton stopper anyway such was the ferocity of his mistimed tackle.

Van Dijk suffered a knee injury so serious he did not play again that season and Liverpool rapidly fell out of the title race.

Luis Diaz offside vs Tottenham

Undoubtedly the biggest Premier League VAR furore resulted when Luis Diaz was denied a goal at Tottenham earlier this season.

In audio footage that was released later, we hear everything appear to run smoothly in the video officials' booth as they clarified that Diaz had indeed been onside and that the goal should stand.

But main man Darren England had not realised the strike had been ruled out on the field meaning his "check complete" communication led to the wrong outcome. Chaos ensued.