Premier League 2025/26 Table Without VAR: Who Really Benefits and Who Suffers Most?
Since the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in the 2019/20 season, English football has changed drastically. What was once a fast-flowing, controversy-light league has become a battleground for debates over technology and officiating standards. VAR was designed to help referees correct “clear and obvious errors” in four major areas — goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity.
Despite fans’ frustration, the Premier League has continued to rely on VAR heavily. According to Squawka’s analysis, based on polls among their X (formerly Twitter) followers, several clubs have benefited from or suffered due to VAR mistakes in the 2025/26 campaign. Their data also assumes all unawarded penalties would have been scored.
Relegation Zone Shake-Up
Wolves have been affected by a single VAR mistake this season — Yerson Mosquera avoiding a red card in their loss to Newcastle — but it hasn’t changed their fate at the bottom of the table with just two points.
Leeds United drop three places and lose two points without VAR’s help, finding themselves in 19th. Nottingham Forest, who finally ended a poor run with a win over Leeds, move up slightly but remain in the relegation zone. Interestingly, both Forest and Burnley have had no VAR-related calls for or against them, with West Ham United just between them after two crucial wins.
Meanwhile, Fulham should have two more points than they currently hold. Despite one favorable decision, three major VAR errors — including Josh King’s disallowed goal against Chelsea — have cost them dearly.
Mid-Table Movements
There’s little change in the middle of the pack. Newcastle United remain in 14th place, with three poor VAR calls going against them — one being a denied penalty for Nick Woltemade versus Bournemouth. Everton and Brentford also stay put in 13th and 12th respectively, both having endured questionable decisions.
Brighton, under 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler — now the youngest permanent Premier League manager ever — round out the lower mid-table. They’ve had one error both for and against, leaving their position unchanged.
Top-Half Turmoil
From 10th to 5th, the standings shift dramatically. Bournemouth slip a place, while Aston Villa, despite three VAR calls in their favour, drop three spots due to goal-difference impact.
Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, are enduring a slump — losing four of their last five league games. They’ve also suffered more than any other team from VAR, with four errors going against them, including Virgil van Dijk’s controversially disallowed goal against Manchester City.
Manchester United have climbed under Rúben Amorim, sitting seventh despite three calls against them. Tottenham Hotspur lose one place in a VAR-free scenario, while Crystal Palace are the surprise winners, leaping five positions to fifth after an early-season VAR call denied them a win at Chelsea.
Title Race and Top Four
Newly-promoted Sunderland, led by Regis Le Bris, continue their dream start and would remain fourth even without VAR, though they’d gain two extra points had a missed penalty against Everton been awarded.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, have had fortune on their side this season, with three beneficial calls — including Eberechi Eze’s wrongly disallowed goal for Palace — yet they’d still be on point better off without VAR.
Manchester City remain firmly in second place under Pep Guardiola, unaffected by the changes. Arsenal, however, stay top but with two fewer points, as a missed penalty decision against Wolves would’ve narrowed their lead.
