It’s safe to say that VAR’s introduction in the Premier League has not gone down well, with some quarters feeling video assistance has had a more detrimental effect to the game than even a 3-month lockdown or the absence of fans.

Since the restart especially it seems like the outrage has been amplified, with a spate of incidents raising doubts about the efficacy of the system. Former referee Mark Halsey has gone as far as saying that the integrity of the Prem ‘is now being brought into question because of VAR’.

But what have been the biggest Premier League VAR controversies of 2019/20? Which teams have been affected the most by the video assistant referee? And how much has VAR cost punters this season?

Spreadex has compiled the top 10 most shocking, infuriating and downright absurd moments below!

Spurs (and VAR) deny City again – Man City v Tottenham, 17.08.19
In a game early enough in the season that it could have had a psychological impact on the title race, Gabriel Jesus was denied an injury time winner against Spurs after VAR decreed that the ball had brushed the arm of Aymeric Laporte in the build-up. That this came just 4 months after Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out in their Champions League thriller merely added salt to the wound.

Spread betters were gutted as well – if the goal had stood, it would have taken the Total Goal Minutes makeup from a lowly 134 to a profitable 224.

Tottenham lose coin-toss decision – Leicester v Tottenham, 21.09.19
Just over a month later and Tottenham were on the wrong end of VAR’s inconsistencies, as a barely perceptible case of offside against Son Heung-min – truly a coin-toss decision, and everything people hate VAR for – meant Serge Aurier’s 2nd for Spurs didn’t count. Seconds later Leicester equalised, compounding Tottenham’s frustrations.

Not only did this prevent the Total Goal Minutes makeup from hitting 247, it stopped punters from making 61 times their initial stake from Aurier’s Player Goal Minutes spread of 1-3.

Big toe be damned! – Tottenham v Sheffield United, 09.11.19
Here another decision went in favour of the North London club, as John Lundstram’s big toe – and the subsequent 4 minute review – stood between Sheffield and a David McGoldrick equaliser.

Given that the Blades did go on to draw things level with Spurs, McGoldrick’s contested goal could have given Sheffield all 3 points, changing up the race for a spot in Europe. Not only that, it stopped spread betters from doubling their stake by selling a Tottenham/Sheffield Goal Supremacy spread of 1-1.2.

Cut his hands off – Southampton v West Ham, 14.12.19
Thankfully the Saints couldn’t find an equaliser to Sebastien Haller’s opener, otherwise West Ham would have even more reason to feel aggrieved that Michail Antonio’s 2nd was ruled out for ‘handball’ despite his hands being suitably close to his body. In one of the more evocative rants against the video assistant, Antonio said he was ‘going to have to cut his hands off’ to prevent such a claim in the future.

The Hammers may still come to rue that disallowed goal, however, considering the relegation battle could fall to a goal difference decider. It also prevented an Antonio PGM makeup of 52.

Iheanacho’s sweet strike spoiled – Norwich v Leicester, 28.02.20
It may have gone down as one of the sweetest strikes of the season if it had stood. Instead, Kelechi Iheanacho’s almost opener was denied due to an exceedingly harsh case of handball when running through.

Greeted with a rousing chorus of ‘F*** VAR’, the decision stopped betters from making 24 times their opening bet off a Iheanacho PGM spread of 22-25.

Bizarre VAR as Premier League returns – Aston Villa v Sheffield United, 17.06.20
Oddly without fans in attendance VAR has become even more of a mood killer. The Premier League’s return was celebrated with what is perhaps the single most bizarre VAR decision yet. Goal-line technology failed to do what even the most cataracted fan could’ve done – that is award Sheffield a goal after keeper Orjan Nyland clearly carried it across the line.

If it had counted, it would’ve produced a Sheffield/Villa Total Goal Minutes Supremacy makeup of 42, rather than the eventual zero.

‘I really dislike VAR!’ – West Ham v Chelsea, 01.07.20
In a VAR double-whammy, the tippity-top of Michail Antonio’s head was ruled offside AND he was deemed to have interfered with play as Tomas Soucek thought he had given West Ham the lead. Both decisions were questionable, especially the latter, prompting Antonio to exclaim post-game ‘I really dislike VAR!’ You’re not alone there.

It also meant an already tasty Total Goal Minutes makeup of 299 was prevented from hitting an even juicier 333.

Champs avoid abject embarrassment – Man City v Liverpool, 02.07.20
It could’ve been even more embarrassing for the newly-crowned champions. With minutes left on the clock, it looked like Riyad Mahrez had added a 5th for Man City. Yet again, however, VAR’s overly stringent handball rules came into play, the ball brushing a grounded Phil Foden’s hand without actually changing its trajectory.

Relief for Liverpool, but disaster for betters – they were denied a Total Goal Minutes makeup of 261 against the eventual settlement of 171.

Another ‘farce’ for Sheffield and Spurs – Sheffield United v Tottenham, 02.07.20
ANOTHER appearance for Spurs and ANOTHER dodgy handball call, Harry Kane saw his 32nd minute strike ruled out because Lucas Moura’s arm hit the ball AS HE WAS FOULED. The second time video officiating had marred a game between Tottenham and Sheffield this season, the incident was enough for Blades manager Chris Wilder to label VAR a ‘farce’.

Even more gallingly, it meant Kane’s Super Mega Minutes makeup came in at a solid 90 rather than an extra spicy 212.

Rashford on the line – Man United v Bournemouth, 04.07.20
It was the highest scoring game post-restart – and there could’ve been 3 more if VAR wasn’t involved. The most contentious incident came when Marcus Rashford had his 2nd of the game ruled out in the 66th minute, by what must have been a sliver of toenail going by the line drawn by Stockley Park.

This came much to the dismay of anyone who’d bought Rashford’s Super Mega Minutes spread of 48-56, leaving the makeup at 35 instead of a more than profitable 167.