A comprehensive survey conducted by the Football Supporters' Association has revealed that 75 per cent of top-flight supporters want video assistant referee technology scrapped from English football.
The poll gathered responses from just under 8,000 fans across all 20 Premier League clubs, with the vast majority being regular matchgoers who attend 15 or more fixtures per season.
Please write at least 2 paragraphsThe findings paint a damning picture of VAR's impact on the live experience, with nine in ten respondents rejecting the notion that the technology has enhanced attending matches.
An even higher proportion — 91 per cent — expressed concern that VAR has damaged the spontaneous joy of celebrating goals.
Television viewers were equally unimpressed, with 94 per cent disagreeing that the system makes watching from home more enjoyable.
Thomas Concannon, the FSA's Premier League network manager, said the findings demonstrate widespread appetite for abolition.
"The results show that most fans want VAR removed," he told the BBC.
Supporters are particularly aggrieved by three key VAR issues: the lengthy delays during reviews, doubts over whether decisions are actually more accurate, and the diminished thrill when goals are scored.
| PAHe pointed to accumulated frustration over several years of living with the technology.
"We've all lived with VAR for so long now that we've seen the negative impact it's had on the game," Concannon explained.
Supporters are particularly aggrieved by three key issues: the lengthy delays during reviews, doubts over whether decisions are actually more accurate, and the diminished thrill when goals are scored.
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Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS"It does take away from what football is meant to be and what those special moments are about," Concannon added, highlighting how the system undermines the emotional peaks that define the sport.
The Premier League has pushed back against the survey's conclusions, insisting its own research tells a different story.
"We recognise the importance of minimising the impact of VAR on the supporter experience," the league stated.
"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."
Officials pointed to the technology's track record of correcting errors, noting that approximately 100 decisions per season are rightfully overturned — goals that would otherwise have been wrongly awarded or disallowed, along with missed red cards and penalties.
The independent key match incident review panel estimates referees now achieve 96-97 per cent accuracy since VAR's introduction, while delays have fallen by a quarter over the past two campaigns.
The independent key match incident review panel estimates referees now achieve 96-97 per cent accuracy since VAR's introduction, while delays have fallen by a quarter over the past two campaigns
| PABeyond the headline figures, the survey uncovered deep scepticism about VAR's core purpose.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents disputed claims that officiating has become more accurate, while 74 per cent felt the reasoning behind decisions remains opaque.
Looking ahead, 86 per cent voiced alarm about potential expansion of VAR's scope, with strong opposition to proposed World Cup changes allowing checks on corner kicks and second yellow cards.
Concannon urged football authorities to heed the message from supporters.
"Supporters naturally raise their concerns and they fall on deaf ears far too much," he said. "That's really disappointing, especially when all we hear is that the fans are the lifeblood of the game.
"Don't just ignore what supporters are telling you in great numbers — that the enjoyment of football isn't there any more in comparison to what it used to be."