Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has its fair share of critics. Introduced to the Premier League at the start of the 2019/20 season, the technology was designed to help the on-pitch officials and ensure matches were officiated seamlessly and without controversy.

However, it has not had the impact that it was intended to have. If anything, the number of refereeing controversies has gone up, and many high-profile names, including Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney, have lost patience and want to see VAR scrapped.

But what would the 2026/27 Premier League table look like if every refereeing decision was correct? After every match day in England’s top tier, Squawka asks their followers to vote on controversial VAR decisions and whether the right decision was made or not.

Using that data, they have created a Premier League table without VAR errors following matchday 3, and it makes for interesting reading.

Bottom Half (20-11)

Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Tottenham Hotspur have had a dismal start to the campaign. Despite spending over £300m in the summer, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have failed to score a single goal in their opening three matches, suffering defeat to Brentford and Newcastle United before stumbling to a draw against Nottingham Forest.

Things would be even worse for them if VAR errors were eliminated; they’d be bottom of the table with zero points. VAR is adjudged to have wrongly intervened to disallow Neco Williams’ goal for Nottingham Forest. The Premier League released a statement explaining the goal had been ruled out for handball, but many felt the footage was inconclusive and not clear and obvious. Had VAR made the right decision, Spurs would have lost the game and would be rock bottom.

Coventry City and Fulham would still be pointless and in the drop zone had VAR been 100% correct, but they would at least be above Tottenham on goal difference.

Leeds United would also be in the bottom half without VAR errors. Daniel Farke’s side were lucky to draw with Brentford after the Bees had a penalty shout turned down and VAR upheld the on-field decision. It has been determined that Brentford should have been given a spot-kick and, on the assumption that it was converted, would have gone on to win the game.

Forest would be two points and five places better off had Williams’ goal against Tottenham stood.

Top Half (10-1)

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Manchester United are currently in the bottom half, but they would be in the top 10 without VAR errors. While their points tally wouldn’t change, they’d go above Leeds on the basis that Daniel Farke’s side should have come away from the Gtech Community Stadium with nothing.

Brentford, meanwhile, would be two places higher in third, leapfrogging Chelsea and Hull City.

There would be no changes at the top of England’s top tier, though. Arsenal and Manchester City currently occupy second and first, having won all three of their games. Neither side has had a VAR error go for or against them so far this season.