Fans give damning assessment of VAR in new survey

Football
30 Mar 2026 • 3:45 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • A survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) reveals that over 75 per cent of fans oppose the use of VAR in football.
  • More than 90 per cent of supporters believe VAR has worsened the match-going experience since its introduction to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season.
  • The survey, which included 7,981 fans, also found that over 85 per cent feel VAR makes football less enjoyable, and over 75 per cent are unclear about its reasons for use in stadiums.
  • The FSA plans to discuss these findings with the Premier League and PGMO, highlighting that fans' concerns about spontaneity and overall experience remain five years on.
  • Despite fan frustration, major football bodies maintain that VAR is here to stay, believing its benefits in accuracy outweigh the negatives, with plans to address ongoing issues.

IN FULL