Survey reveals three quarters of fans oppose use of VAR - as majority believe it has killed joy of Premier League

The use of VAR is opposed by 75% of Premier League fans, a survey has revealed.

The poll of nearly 8,000 supporters, just over half of whom attend more than 15 home games a season, found that more than 97% disagreed that VAR makes watching football more enjoyable.

Over 90% opposed the statement that it had made the match-going experience better, while 75.71% said they did not support its use, and more than 70% disagreed that it has improved the accuracy of refereeing decisions.

A big source of frustration was the length of the wait for a verdict, with fewer than 3% of those asked agreeing that decisions happened within a reasonable timeframe.

Despite efforts to speed the process up, an overwhelming majority do not feel decisions are now being made more quickly.

More than 90% feel the technology has also removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.

The Football Supporters' Association (FSA), which conducted the poll, said it reflected past surveys showing fans' feelings about the technology.

Thomas Concannon, Premier League network manager with the FSA, said: "These findings back up our previous survey in 2021, where fans expressed misgivings about the introduction of VAR.

"The vast majority are reporting the same concerns five years on - the loss of spontaneity when celebrating goals, and an overall worsening of the match-going experience.

"We have shared the survey results with the Premier League and PGMO (Professional Game Match Officials), and look forward to discussing its findings with them."

Further findings showed that more than half of respondents supported the introduction of in-game announcements to explain VAR decisions this season, but disgruntlement remains about the communication process overall.

It was also revealed that a slight majority supported using VAR to review red cards, but opposition continues to its use for offsides, fouls, and handballs in the build-up to goals.

Meanwhile, most fans opposed using VAR to check second yellow cards, while a slight majority backed the introduction of a challenge system that would limit the number of interventions.

And more than 85% expressed concern about a possible VAR expansion, amid plans to canvass clubs on its use to review corners next season - a measure opposed by more than 70% of supporters.

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The only use of the technology that is strongly supported, the survey showed, is goal-line technology, which was backed by more than 93% of respondents.

There was encouraging news for the lower leagues though, with more than 80% saying they now prefer watching games without VAR.

(c) Sky News 2026: Survey reveals three quarters of fans oppose use of VAR - as majority believe it has killed joy of Premier League