seven decisions<\/strong> changed thanks to the use of VAR technology, with another being rejected. Two decisions allowed goals to stand, while three were due to a player being offside for their goal. The rest were penalties given due to fouls.<\/p>\n\n\n Interestingly, the rejected decision occurred during the Tunisia vs Denmark match which ended 0-0. In the 93rd minute, a shot deflected by Yassine Meriah was deemed to be a handball in the box by the VAR.<\/p>\n\n
\n However, Mexican referee Cesar Ramos spotted an earlier foul against the Tunisians, meaning a free kick was given instead of a penalty to Denmark. This was ruled to be the correct decision.<\/p>\n\n
VAR\u2019s 21\/22 Premier League Impact<\/h2>\n \n\n
\n Each year the statistics of VAR decisions in the Premier League are published, and the results are always interesting.<\/p>\n\n
\n There has been a total of 120 incidents which were overturned last season (eight incidents less than the 20\/21 season). Meanwhile, 47 decisions led to goals being allowed, while 43 were overturned after a goal was scored (one more than last season).<\/p>\n\n
\n The interesting number is 47, which is a massive increase by 13 goals. That has been a great benefit to the Premier League as a whole as VAR stopped being so restrictive. In addition, 10 more penalties than last year were also awarded, resulting in a total of 38. Just like last year, six were missed.<\/p>\n\n
\n Offsides have also been majorly impacted, with 32 goals being ruled out due to being offside; 11 were the reverse, seeing goals being given after incorrectly being ruled offside.<\/p>\n\n
\n There have been 13 red cards given and three reversed last season, similar to the previous season.<\/p>\n\n
\n How Did VAR Affect the Individual Premier League Teams?\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n The teams who have been hit the worst by VAR last season are Norwich, Burnley, and Leicester City, with a score of -6. Leicester and Burnley had 10 decisions overturned, while both teams had eight decisions go against them and in their favour. Norwich got the worst of it with 11 decisions taken against them, and only 5 going their way, totalling 16 separate interventions by the referee.<\/p>\n\n
\n West Ham and Liverpool have gotten the best luck with VAR decisions. The former team had 10 decision go their way with only six going against them. No wonder they had such a strong campaign.<\/p>\n\n
\n Funnily enough, Liverpool have topped last year's list after being at the bottom in the season prior. Six decisions went their way, while two went against them.<\/p>\n\n
\n Of course, this does not necessarily mean that all decisions made are wrong; however, if VAR didn't exist, certain results may look slightly, or drastically in some cases, different.<\/p>\n\n
VAR\u2019s Initial Premier League Impact<\/h2>\n \n\n
\n Following a year packed with controversial refereeing decisions, punters and fans were eager to quantify VAR\u2019s impact on the most followed league in the world. VAR was no longer a completely unknown quantity.<\/strong> The data behind its inaugural campaign clearly showed its impact, and, as the years go by, the match-changing decisions taken will continue to be compared and scrutinised by many.<\/p>\n\n\n
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According to an ESPN report, a total of 109 goals or incidents<\/strong> were influenced by VAR in its first season. There were 109 decisions overturned<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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27 of those led to goals,<\/strong> while 56 resulted in disallowed goals.<\/strong> VAR also awarded 22 penalties, <\/strong>which originally were not given by the referee, and cancelled nine that were. Furthermore, four penalties were retaken due to encroachment.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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A total of 34 goals were ruled out for offside<\/strong> (some of these only by a hair\u2019s breadth!) and eight goals were awarded after being wrongly being called offside. A further 14 goals were chalked off for handball, and two goals were given after incorrect handball decisions. Nine red cards<\/strong> were handed out by VAR, while two were overturned.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
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If we turn our heads to VAR\u2019s impact on specific teams, the data shows us that Brighton and Hove Albion benefitted mostly from VAR decisions, followed closely by Manchester United. On the other end of the spectrum, Norwich, Wolves and Sheffield United seem to be the most hard done by.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n There are some key takeaways from these numbers. Firstly, the net result of VAR interventions meant that seven extra red cards <\/strong>were dished out. This could imply that, while referees might have erred on the side of caution and given a yellow in the past,