Longest VAR Decision in Premier League History Sparks Debate Over Bias

While hesitant to delve into the narrative of VAR bias against West Ham recent incidents have left fans feeling frustrated. In their draw against Aston Villa, two goals were disallowed for handball with the second decision taking almost six minutes to review marking the longest VAR decision in Premier League history. The IFAB VAR protocol emphasizes that the referee’s original decision should only be overturned if a clear and obvious error is evident.

However, in both cases, the handball offenses were not decisively shown in the footage. The absence of a time limit for VAR reviews allows for prolonged deliberation, potentially leading to decisions being made to justify the extended review process rather than based on clear evidence. Introducing a time limit could ensure that VAR operates in line with its intended purpose preventing excessive scrutiny for obscure errors.