London: The survey, conducted online between February 26 and March 23, gathered responses from nearly 8,000 fans of top-flight clubs. Findings revealed that 75.7% of respondents opposed the use of VAR in football, with a striking 91.7% stating that the technology has taken away the spontaneous joy of celebrating goals.

Thomas Concannon, Premier League network manager at the Football Supporters’ Association, said the findings reinforce concerns raised in a previous 2021 survey, where fans had already expressed reservations about the system’s introduction.

The FSA has shared the latest results with the Premier League and the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), and is seeking further discussions on the future of VAR in English football.

However, the Premier League defended the system, stating that VAR has contributed to more accurate match outcomes while remaining less disruptive compared to its use in other European competitions. According to the league, around 100 correct VAR overturns are recorded each season, correcting decisions related to goals, penalties, and red cards.

The league also emphasised that it maintains a high threshold for VAR intervention, allowing on-field referees’ decisions to take precedence. It noted that VAR is used less frequently in the Premier League than in competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, where interventions occur nearly twice as often.

Despite criticism, the Premier League reiterated that refining the use of VAR remains a priority. It added that ongoing engagement with fans suggests that while many support improvements, there is still a segment of supporters in favour of retaining the system in a more effective and less intrusive form.