VAR’s most powerful opponent yet wants Premier League ban

VAR, a long-time source of controversy amongst Premier League fans, would be banned if its latest and most powerful opponent could get his way.

The controversial technology has made headlines in recent weeks, none more notable than its potentially Premier League title-deciding role during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over West Ham.

In last weekend’s London derby between top and almost bottom of the table, VAR intervened following a crucial West Ham goal in injury time.

The strike, which could have sunk Arsenal’s Premier League trophy-lifting hopes, was eventually ruled out by VAR on account of a foul being committed on the Gunners goalkeeper.

David Raya’s arm was adjudged to have been held by Pablo Fornals, striking off the goal and having huge implications on West Ham’s potential Premier League relegation.

However, a less spoken about VAR decision, or lack thereof, also against West Ham two weeks prior, has paved the way for the technology’s strongest opponent yet to emerge.

Potential next PM Andy Burnham wants to scrap VAR

The mayor of Greater Manchester and diehard Everton fan, Andy Burnham, revealed today to ITV News that he would scrap VAR immediately if he had the power.

“Get rid, and I’ll tell you why,” said Burnham. “I’m a season ticket holder at Everton… you can’t celebrate a goal because you think someone, somewhere in an industrial unit is going to rule it out.

“That’s a bad thing. But, [secondly], it doesn’t get decisions right. You could put up with that if it then got the decisions right, but it doesn’t. It’s not consistent.

“It takes a decision one week for one favoured team, and then doesn’t do the same thing the next,” he continued.

🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham says he would ban VAR if he had the power

"You can't celebrate a goal because you think someone, somewhere in an industrial unit is going to rule it out" pic.twitter.com/11oGJ295fL

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) May 16, 2026

The 56-year-old’s opinion on the technology was likely influenced by its role in West Ham’s 2-1 win victory last month against his club — a game defined by its 92nd minute Callum Wilson winner.

David Moyes was left incensed after the technology failed to intervene for a potential Everton penalty, after the ball hit Mateus Fernandes’ hand during a battle with Thierno Barry.

The now potential next Prime Minister previously shared his thoughts on VAR after the game via X, writing: “VAR is serving no useful purpose. It kills spontaneity in the ground and doesn’t get decisions right. Get rid.”

VAR is serving no useful purpose. It kills spontaneity in the ground and doesn’t get decisions right. Get rid.

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) April 25, 2026

Everton are no strangers to being on the receiving end of controversial VAR decisions — on Thursday, the Key Match Incidents Premier League panel decided that Everton were wrongfully denied a penalty in their 3-3 home draw against Manchester City.

Moyes’ men were leading 3-2 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium when Bernardo Silva committed a foul in the box on Toffees midfielder Merlin Rohl, which went unnoticed by referee Michael Oliver.

Jeremy Doku went on to score in injury time for the visitors, sealing a collapse from 3-1 for Everton that could have a major effect on their quest for European football.

Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer are more than political opponents

Burnham, who ran twice unsuccessfully more than 10 years ago in Labour leadership contests, is backed by a variety of Labour MPs who believe he is the man for the top job.

The 56-year-old, denied by Labour’s ruling NEC to stand in the January by-election, will first need to be an MP — a problem he has seemingly overcome.

The Everton diehard has located a Labour MP willing to step down and give Burnham the opportunity to challenge Sir Keir Starmer in Westminster, however, there lies a long road ahead.

The current Prime Minister, an Arsenal season ticket holder, revealed in 2021 as part of LADbible's ‘Minutes with’ series that he was a fan of VAR.

“Oh, I quite like VAR. This is the lawyer in me. I quite like the right decision although, as ever, it depends who’s playing,” said Sir Keir Starmer.

If Burnham is successful in becoming Britain’s next Prime Minister, it is possible, but still highly unlikely, that he could seek to amend the Football Governance Bill and scrap VAR.

For now, KMI panel apologies will have to suffice for the 56-year-old, who stands as the technology’s most powerful opposition yet.