Another weekend, another VAR controversy. Social media says referees are ruining football. But the Premier League’s independent panel tells a different story: fewer mistakes, faster decisions, better accuracy. So why does it feel worse?

We unpack:

- The narrative vs the numbers

- Why media amplification and outrage distort perception

- VAR’s impact — 97% accuracy, faster checks, semi-automated offsides

- Where refs still fail — inconsistency, big-game pressure, and communication gaps

#PremierLeague, #VAR, #Referees, #PGMOL, #FootballPodcast, #SoccerRefs, #EPL, #FootballDebates, #VARControversy, #RefWatch, #SoccerAnalysis, #FootballFans

Subscribe to our channels and enjoy this episode:

YouTube: / @theshaftpodcasts. .

Spotify: https://spotify.link/oHwF5hicHDb

Appreciations for this Episode:

Host: Andy Terku

Video Production: Andrews Terkpertey

Video Editing: Samuel Okuadjo

Timestamps:

00:00 – 03:07 | Narratives, Media, and Perception

03:08 – 07:23 | The Numbers vs The Noise

07:24 – 09:27 | Accountability and the Road Ahead