VAR: YouGov survey finds 51 per cent of fans say video referral system has 'done badly'

The majority of Premier League fans still dislike VAR - but the percentage who think it has "done badly" has fallen.

According to a new YouGov survey, the percentage of those who think Video Assistant Referees have worked well in the Premier League has gone up from 27 per cent to 36 per cent.

There has also been a subsequent fall in those who think it's done badly, 60 per cent down to 51 per cent.

Live Premier League

But people still say the use of video referrals for key decisions in matches is making the game unenjoyable - those who say it's more enjoyable has only risen three per cent - from 13 per cent to 16 per cent.

A total of 63 per cent say VAR makes the game less enjoyable, only slightly down from 67 per cent in January.

The number of people wanting to keep VAR but change it has fallen three per cent to 71 per cent, while 16 per cent of those surveyed think it should be scrapped completely, a rise of one per cent on January's numbers.

Other findings in the survey included:

• Support for time limits has gone up - 71 per cent to 76 per cent
• Support for being able to see VAR footage the VAR refs are seeing has gone up - 81 per cent to 85 per cent
• Support for being able to hear the conversation between on field refs and VAR refs has gone up - 73 per cent to 77 per cent
• 48 per cent support refs keeping their flags down for marginal offsides, which VAR will check, 30 per cent oppose it
• 58 per cent support VAR being used to spot penalty encroachment
• How long should VAR be able to check decisions after a potential foul? 59 per cent said 15 seconds or longer; 11 per cent said no limit, another 11 per cent said there should be no VAR decisions if play continues
• 69 per cent say worsened the pace of the game
• But 71 per cent say it's not made the quality any worse; 15 per cent said it's better, 12 per cent said it's worse
• 49 per cent say it's improved refereeing decisions; 25 per cent say it's made them worse
• 51 per cent say it's worsened football enjoyment in the stadium; 8 per cent said it's improved it
• 54 per cent say it's made football enjoyment on TV worse; but 17 per cent say it's improved

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

PL chief: VAR consistency key for fans

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters:

"It was the first season (for VAR) in the Premier League and it was always going to have bumps in the road. It's certainly improved the amount of correct decisions but I know it has frustrated fans.

"So I think if we can get quicker decisions, more consistent decisions and better decisions, then that will start to drive acceptance among a bigger group of fans.

"That's what we're seeking to deliver and I'm confident that Mike Riley and the team will deliver that."

Sky Sports Fantasy Football is back!

Another year, another £50,000 jackpot on the line. Sky Sports Fantasy Football makes its return for the 2020/21 season.