Premier League Fans Reject VAR: 75% Opposed in Survey

Most fans don't want VAR in PL, survey says

Over 75% of Premier League fans oppose VAR, citing disruption to game flow and joy of celebrations, survey reveals.

Premier League's VAR defence fails to convince fans, with 91.7% saying it ruins goal celebrations...

More than 75% of Premier League fans oppose the continued use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR), according to a survey conducted by a football supporters' group.

According to an FSA survey of nearly 8,000 supporters. The online poll, conducted between Feb 26 and Mar 23, shows fans are frustrated with the tech. 

A recent survey by the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) revealed that 75.7% of Premier League fans don't support the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), with 91.7% saying it has taken away the excitement of goal celebrations. The survey polled almost 8,000 fans of top-flight clubs between February 26 and March 23.

FSA's Premier League network manager Thomas Concannon stated, “These findings back up the FSA’s previous survey in 2021, where fans expressed misgivings about the introduction of VAR.” The FSA has shared the survey results with the Premier League and referees' body PGMOL, and they're looking forward to discussing the findings.

The Premier League is defending VAR, stating it's led to more accurate outcomes and is less disruptive than in other European competitions. According to their spokesperson, there have been around 100 correct VAR overturns per season, correcting goals, red cards, and penalties. They're acknowledging fan concerns, but emphasizing VAR's benefits, and are open to refining its implementation.

“In recent seasons, there have been around 100 correct VAR overturns per season – instances where goals would otherwise have been incorrectly awarded or disallowed, ‌or red cards or penalties missed or wrongly given,” a Premier League spokesperson said in a statement.

“The league applies a high threshold for VAR intervention, with the referee’s call taking precedence. As a result, VAR is less intrusive in the Premier League than in other European leagues, including the Champions League, where VAR intervenes almost twice as often.”

Premier League fans deliver damning verdict on VAR. 75% of 7,946 fans polled by the Football Supporters’ Association “didn’t support the use of VAR”. Too long, too forensic, too much of a joy killer, fans say. Findings shared with Premier League and PGMO.

92% of fans surveyed…

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 29, 2026

The Premier League and PGMOL are committed to refining VAR, and they'll keep engaging with stakeholders to improve the system. They're focused on making it work better, acknowledging there's room for improvement. 

"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,” ‌it said.