According to “Varzesh3,” citing AS, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has played a significant role in the current La Liga season. With six weeks remaining, the number of interventions has reached 162, nearing a historic record.

This figure surpasses the 154 interventions from last season (an average of 2.46) and is likely to exceed the record of 179 interventions set in the 2022-23 season. In Matchday 31, a peak of 13 interventions was recorded, and in the recent matchday, there were still seven interventions, indicating a high number of VAR reviews. This means VAR intervenes, on average, in every other match (1.96).

The high number of interventions has drawn heavy criticism toward the Technical Committee of Referees and its president, Medina Cantalejo. He has repeatedly emphasized that VAR should only intervene in clear and obvious errors, avoiding reviews of “low-probability penalties.” However, this season, scenes with low probabilities of referee errors still constitute a significant portion of VAR interventions.

An increase in on-field refereeing errors, particularly in red-card decisions, is one reason for this situation. Additionally, the semi-automated offside technology, with higher accuracy, has identified millimeter offsides that were previously overlooked. This technology has led to 36 goals being incorrectly ruled offside being confirmed, compared to 22 last season.

Criticism has also been directed at instances where VAR did not intervene.

Real Madrid, after a penalty was not awarded for Jude Bellingham, called the VAR system “third-world” and claimed there were efforts to eliminate the team from the title race. They also protested Vinícius Júnior’s disallowed goal due to Andriy Lunin’s offside. Villarreal complained about their late goal being disallowed for an alleged foul, with their president, Fernando Roig, insisting VAR was designed for such situations and should review them. Celta Vigo also criticized three refereeing decisions after their loss to Barcelona, where a key VAR intervention in stoppage time played a decisive role.

Statistically, Barcelona has benefited the most from VAR, with 13 interventions in their favor and only six against them. Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Alavés have suffered the most, with six interventions in their favor and 15 against them. Without VAR, Real Madrid would have seven more points, and Barcelona would have five fewer. These discrepancies have intensified Real Madrid’s criticism of their arch-rival Barcelona benefiting in the title race.

Despite the controversies, VAR remains at the center of attention. With increasing sensitivity in the final weeks of the season, more interventions are expected. This technology, intended to promote fairness in refereeing, has become more controversial than ever due to inconsistencies and its varying impacts on teams.