European Leagues Face Growing VAR Backlash as Intervention Rates Surge

Updated 2026-02-18 07:02:05+00:00 (4 articles)

UEFA Referees Chief Says Europe Has Forgotten VAR’s Purpose Roberto Rosetti warned that the original intent of VAR—correcting clear errors—has been lost to “microscopic” interventions across major leagues, a criticism voiced on 18 February 2026 [1]. He argued that excessive checks undermine the flow of the game and erode trust among stakeholders. Rosetti’s remarks reflect mounting pressure from officials and fans alike.

German Fans and Coaches Protest High VAR Interventions Bundesliga supporters displayed “Eliminate VAR” banners while official data showed 83 interventions in 198 matches, a rate exceeding England’s and yielding one error every 15.66 games versus England’s one per 16 [1]. A ZDF poll of 27 top‑division coaches found 16 dissatisfied, and an NTV survey reported 80 % of coaches consider VAR delays excessive [1]. The combined fan and managerial backlash highlights Germany’s growing intolerance for perceived overuse.

Spanish Clubs Highlight Persistent VAR Errors Barcelona issued a statement after an eight‑minute off‑side review nullified a goal, underscoring frustration with prolonged checks [1]. Marca’s analysis counted ten VAR errors in the first 18 rounds, more than in the Bundesliga or Premier League during the same period [1]. Spanish clubs are demanding higher accuracy and faster decision‑making from video officials.

Serie A Pushes for More VAR Use with Rule Clarifications Italian media report that Serie A favors increased VAR involvement, particularly on corner decisions and second yellow cards, and is seeking clearer guidelines ahead of an IFAB review scheduled for 28 February [1]. Fans have protested the league’s ambiguous rules, demanding transparency on when and how VAR should intervene [1]. The league’s stance illustrates a split between wanting more technology and needing consistent application.

France Records Highest Intervention Rate and Faces Cost Scrutiny Ligue 1 logged 83 VAR interventions across 198 matches, producing 17 errors—an error every 11.65 games, the highest among the surveyed leagues [1]. The season’s VAR budget reached €25 million, prompting criticism from Lille president Olivier Letang and other officials over financial sustainability [1]. French clubs are now questioning whether the expense justifies the marginal improvement in decision accuracy.

Sources

1.
BBC: VAR controversy spreads across Europe’s top leagues – The article details widespread dissatisfaction with VAR, citing Rosetti’s criticism, German fan protests, Spanish club grievances, Serie A’s push for rule clarity, and France’s high intervention rate and cost concerns, providing a comprehensive snapshot of the continent’s growing backlash .
2026-02-18 07:02:05+00:00

Timeline

2016 – A handball controversy in the Euro 2016 final fuels calls for VAR expansion, later cited by FIFA’s head of referees Pierluigi Collina as a benchmark for broader video‑review use. [3]

Oct 2025 – The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approves VAR reviews of incorrectly shown second‑yellow cards that lead to a red, but rejects proposals to review corner‑kick situations, leaving the door open for FIFA’s independent trial. [3]

Dec 1, 2025 – Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caícedo receives a red card for serious foul play after VAR confirms excessive force on Arsenal’s Mikel Merino; Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca questions the inconsistency, asking “Why does the same challenge get a red for Caícedo and a yellow for Bentancur?” [4]

Dec 2, 2025 – FIFA announces a trial of VAR corner‑kick reviews for the 2026 World Cup, to be tested in the United States, Mexico and Canada the following summer; Collina backs the expansion (“We must keep evolving VAR”), while FA chief Mark Bullingham warns it would cause “significant delays.” [3]

Dec 2025 – The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel records 12 serious‑foul‑play errors since the start of the 2023‑24 season, underscoring ongoing consistency problems across English football. [4]

Jan 13, 2026 – VAR errors in the Premier League rise 30 % to 13 this season, driven mainly by missed interventions (up to 11); the KMI Panel notes a decline in overturns and stands VAR official Michael Salisbury down from his next appointment after a Fulham disallowed‑goal mistake. [2]

Jan 2026 – The KMI Panel highlights a handball by Marcos Senesi that escaped on‑field punishment, ruling that a secondary arm action constituted a handball and an obvious goal‑scoring opportunity, illustrating the panel’s broader interpretive approach. [2]

Feb 18, 2026 – UEFA referees chief Roberto Rosetti declares “Europe has lost VAR’s purpose,” as “microscopic” interventions proliferate; German fans display anti‑VAR banners and a ZDF poll shows 16 of 27 top‑division coaches dissatisfied, Spanish clubs cite ten errors in 18 rounds, Serie A pushes for more VAR use while awaiting IFAB clarification on corners and second‑yellow cards, and Ligue 1 logs the highest intervention rate (83 in 198 matches) with a €25 million cost that Lille president Olivier Letang condemns: “We cannot keep paying €25 million for a system that disrupts the game.” [1]

Feb 28, 2026 – IFAB meets to decide on clearer VAR rules covering corner‑kick reviews and second‑yellow‑card incidents, a decision that could legitimize Serie A’s demand for increased video intervention. [1]

Summer 2026 – FIFA implements the VAR corner‑kick trial at World Cup matches across North America, deploying additional VAR staff, cameras and connected‑ball technology; the experiment may force teams to adjust short‑corner tactics if reviews prove decisive. [3]