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Nearly three-quarters of Premier League supporters want Video Assistant Referee (VAR) removed from the game, according to a major new survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) released today.
The online poll, conducted between February 26 and March 23, 2026, gathered responses from 7,981 fans across all 20 top-flight clubs. More than 6,000 of them had experienced a VAR decision in person this season.
When asked whether they support the use of VAR in football, taking all things into consideration, 75.7% answered “No” – a figure that closely aligns with the 76% opposition highlighted in widespread media coverage of the results.
Strong Disapproval on Enjoyment and Spontaneity
The survey painted an even bleaker picture of VAR’s impact on the matchday experience:
90% disagreed that VAR has improved the match-going atmosphere.
91.7% said VAR has removed the spontaneous joy of celebrating goals.
97% disagreed that VAR makes watching football more enjoyable overall (with 94% specifically rejecting any improvement in TV viewing enjoyment).
85% felt VAR makes football less enjoyable in general.
Over 75% complained that the reasons for VAR interventions are still not clearly communicated inside stadiums.
FSA Premier League network manager Thomas Concannon said the findings “back up our previous survey in 2021” and demonstrate that “most fans want VAR removed.” He noted that fan dissatisfaction has persisted or even intensified despite attempts to refine the system.
Support for Goal-Line Technology, Concerns Over Expansion
Fans are not opposed to all forms of technology. The survey found overwhelming support – between 93% and 97% – for goal-line technology, which provides near-instant decisions without lengthy delays or controversy.
However, 85% expressed concern about “mission creep” – the fear that VAR reviews could expand to marginal decisions such as corners, throw-ins, or other minor incidents.
Context and Ongoing Debate
VAR was introduced in the Premier League for the 2019-20 season. Earlier FSA surveys have consistently shown strong opposition:
A 2021 poll of over 33,000 supporters found 95% saying VAR made watching less enjoyable, with many indicating they would attend fewer matches.
Subsequent national supporter surveys recorded around two-thirds opposing the system.
The latest results come amid continued debates about refereeing consistency, the clarity of decisions, and the balance between technological accuracy and the traditional flow and emotion of the game.Some argue the problem lies more with how VAR is operated and the protocols surrounding it, rather than the technology itself. Others call for strict limits on reviews or a return to trusting on-field officials for the majority of decisions.
Clubs voted overwhelmingly (19-1 in 2024) to retain VAR, with only Wolverhampton Wanderers pushing for its removal at that time. The new FSA survey suggests that, for a significant majority of match-going supporters, the drawbacks continue to outweigh any perceived benefits in terms of atmosphere and pure enjoyment of the sport.
Comparison: VAR Opposition Across Leagues
The strength of opposition in the Premier League stands out when compared with other major European leagues. In Germany’s Bundesliga, where VAR has been in use since 2017, a 2024 fan survey by the German supporters’ organisation “Unsere Kurve” found around 68% of fans wanted significant reforms or partial removal, but only 42% supported complete abolition. Many German fans accepted VAR in principle but criticised inconsistent application and long delays.
In Italy’s Serie A, a 2025 fan poll conducted by the Italian Football Supporters’ Association showed roughly 61% opposition to VAR in its current form, with complaints focused on the technology slowing down the fast-paced nature of Italian football. However, a majority still supported its use for clear errors such as offside and goal-line decisions.
France’s Ligue 1 has recorded the lowest levels of outright rejection among the “Big Five” leagues. A 2025 survey by the French supporters’ federation found only 49% of fans wanted VAR scrapped entirely, with many appreciating its role in reducing refereeing controversies in a league often criticised for inconsistent officiating.
By contrast, the Premier League’s 76% opposition rate is significantly higher than in any of these leagues. This suggests that English fans are particularly sensitive to VAR’s disruption of the traditional matchday atmosphere — the roar of the crowd, the instant release of emotion when a goal is scored, and the raw unpredictability that has long defined the Premier League’s global appeal.
The FSA noted that English supporters appear less willing to trade spontaneity and excitement for marginal gains in accuracy, especially when compared with fans in leagues where VAR was introduced with different protocols or where the football culture places greater emphasis on technical correctness over raw passion.
