Every week, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) sparks arguments in English football. Fans often ask how decisions are made and if they are really fair. After each round of fixtures, experts look back at the big calls to explain what happened under VAR protocol and the official Laws of the Game.
This weekend was no different, with 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League matches that got everyone talking. The spotlight was on:
- Eberechi Eze’s disallowed free kick for Crystal Palace against Chelsea
- A possible red card for Marcos Senesi in Liverpool’s clash
- Manchester United’s late penalty shout against Arsenal
Here’s a breakdown of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League, why they were made, and whether they were correct.
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Eze’s Disallowed Free Kick
The first of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League came at Stamford Bridge. In the 13th minute, Crystal Palace thought they had taken the lead when Eberechi Eze smashed a stunning free kick past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez. But VAR stepped in after spotting a possible infringement.
Palace defender Marc Guéhi had pushed Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo into the wall, leaving him less than one meter away from the defensive setup. According to the law introduced in 2019, attacking players must remain at least one meter from a defensive wall of three or more players. Because Guéhi broke this rule, referee Darren England was advised to check the pitch-side monitor, and the goal was disallowed.
What makes this one of the most controversial of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League is that such incidents have never really been punished before. More than 2,200 games had passed since the law was introduced without a single VAR ruling for this offence. Yet in Game 2,287, Palace became the unlucky first.
This wasn’t the first time such a case appeared in football, though. Earlier this month, in a Europa League qualifier, FC Noah had a late winner ruled out in similar circumstances. Still, fans question why VAR chose this moment to suddenly enforce the rule so strictly in the Premier League.
In truth, the law was broken, and VAR technically got it right. But supporters argue that consistency is key. Earlier this year, Chelsea scored against Bournemouth in almost the same situation when Marc Cucurella moved into the wall, but that goal was allowed to stand. That inconsistency is why this became one of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League that divided opinion.
ALSO SEE:
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – Sánchez on Guéhi
The second of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League also came from the same match. In first-half stoppage time, Palace launched a long throw into the Chelsea box. As Marc Guéhi went up for the ball, Robert Sánchez rushed out to punch and made contact with Guéhi’s head. Palace players appealed for a penalty, but play continued.
VAR checked the incident but decided there was no clear foul. Sánchez appeared to get a touch on the ball at the same time as Guéhi, which influenced the decision. Since the goalkeeper’s action looked like a normal attempt to play the ball and wasn’t reckless, VAR ruled against giving a penalty.
Situations like this are common. Last season in the Champions League, Arsenal felt unlucky when Mikel Merino suffered heavy contact from Yann Sommer in a clash with Inter Milan. That wasn’t given either. So, this decision matched the usual VAR standard.
Still, for fans watching, it added to the feeling of inconsistency. That’s why it stood out as one of the 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League this weekend.
VAR’s Role and the Bigger Picture
This weekend gave us a perfect example of how difficult VAR’s job really is. The 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League all followed the rulebook, but not every fan agreed with the outcomes.
Eze’s disallowed free kick showed VAR can step in for rare offences, even if it hasn’t in years. The Sánchez-Guéhi clash highlighted how goalkeepers are usually protected when making genuine attempts to clear the ball. And the Manchester United penalty claim proved that VAR still relies heavily on the “clear and obvious” threshold.
The Premier League will continue to face pressure to make VAR more consistent and transparent. Until then, expect more weekends dominated by 3 Major VAR Decisions in Premier League discussions, as fans, managers, and players argue over what’s fair and what’s not.
SEE MORE:
