90min

How the Premier League table looks without VAR before Boxing Day 2022

By Jude Summerfield

VAR is a regular feature at Premier League games
VAR is a regular feature at Premier League games / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
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VAR - or video assistant referee - is a phrase never far away from the rants and ravings of frustrated football fans around the world.

While key decisions were being missed and injustices continually dished out without the presence of a video assistant, supporters now feel too many games are being negatively affected by VAR's long and drawn-out process. There's just no winning at the moment.

Decisions made with the help of VAR end up influencing league tables around the world because of the nature of situations they review. It's no different in the Premier League, where officials are still searching for the right balance of minimal interference and maximum benefit.

Here's what the table would look like without the interference of VAR.

What is VAR?

A VAR is a video assistant referee who reviews decisions made by on-field officials. They are given screens to view the match and advise referees with the intention to eliminate clear and obvious mistakes that can be missed in real time.

They are used during four scenarios:

  • Goal/no goal
  • Penalty/no penalty
  • Direct red card
  • Mistaken identity

If no mistake is spotted upon review, the check concludes and play continues. There can be long pauses while officials deliberate on clear and obvious mistakes.

There are three outcomes when a clear and obvious error is spotted:

  • The decision can be overturned on advice of VAR
  • On-field review where footage is checked
  • Referee ignores VAR advice

The referee then explains their decision to the VAR and proceeds with their chosen course of action. A VAR alone cannot overturn the decision of an on-field referee.

When was VAR introduced in the Premier League?

The use of video assistant referees became commonplace in the Premier League in 2019/20, having previously been trialled in FA Cup and Carabao Cup games.

Its use has prompted widespread criticism. A PGMOL review was needed after a terrible start to the 2022/23 season, where officials got high-profile calls wrong at the expense of teams like West Ham and Chelsea.

Premier League table without VAR - Christmas 2022

Research conducted by The Sun prior to the start of the World Cup show there would be a few changes in the Premier League table if VAR was not in use this season.

Manchester City would sit at the top of the table had a few tight calls not gone against them. A goal from Phil Foden in the defeat at Liverpool was disallowed because of an Erling Haaland foul, while a strike from Miguel Almiron was allowed to stand as an original offside call was overturned in the 3-3 draw with Newcastle.

Pep Guardiola's side would be top at Christmas if not for those decisions, leaving actual leaders Arsenal in second place. The Gunners might have been held to a draw by Leeds in October had an awarded penalty not been quashed by VAR.

Tottenham and Newcastle trade places in third and fourth, while the research also suggests Liverpool and Fulham have benefitted from the use of VAR - they would be down in ninth and 14th without it.

On the other side of the spectrum, Bournemouth have been dealt blows by VAR. They would be three places better off in 11th, though manager Gary O'Neil would still have been delighted to lead the Cherries to 14th - their current position - before the World Cup break.

(+/-) = positional change.

  1. Manchester City (+1)
  2. Arsenal (-1)
  3. Tottenham (+1)
  4. Newcastle (-1)
  5. Manchester United
  6. Brighton (+)
  7. Chelsea (+1)
  8. Brentford (+2)
  9. Liverpool (-3)
  10. Aston Villa (+2)
  11. Bournemouth (+3)
  12. Leicester (+1)
  13. Crystal Palace (-2)
  14. Fulham (-5)
  15. Leeds
  16. Everton (+1)
  17. West Ham (-1)
  18. Nottingham Forest
  19. Southampton
  20. Wolves
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