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.
The survey, which gathered responses from just under 8,000 fans across all 20 top-flight clubs, found that more than 90% of respondents believe VAR has worsened the experience of attending matches.
In addition, 91% said it has harmed the spontaneity of goal celebrations, while 94% disagreed that it has made watching football on television more enjoyable.
As reported by BBC Sport on Monday, the FSA’s Premier League network manager, Thomas Concannon, said the results reflect widespread frustration among supporters.
“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,” he told BBC Sport.
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Nine Premier League managers depart during 2025/26 season
He added that delays and uncertainty around decisions are key concerns.
“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 averred.
In response, the Premier League acknowledged the concerns but defended the continued use of VAR, emphasising efforts to improve how it is applied.
In a statement, the league said: “We recognise the importance of minimising the impact of VAR on the supporter experience.
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 findings highlight an ongoing divide between football authorities and supporters, with many fans calling for the removal of VAR, while the league continues to back refinements rather than abandoning the technology altogether.