Incorrect decisions by match officials in the Premier League have risen this season, according to data from the Key Match Incident (KMI) panel. The independent group, which reviews major top-flight decisions, found that on-field errors increased to 31 compared to 25 at the same stage last year.
Video assistant referee (VAR) mistakes also rose from 12 to 20 during the current campaign. Per the Premier League, the panel noted that while the total number of interventions increased, the accuracy of VAR remains a priority for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Disciplinary statistics showed a notable change in official conduct. Referees issued 1,223 yellow cards and 49 red cards so far, representing a significant uplift in cautions. The league attributed some of this rise to stricter guidelines regarding dissent and time-wasting. Howard Webb, the PGMOL chief, stated that officials are working to improve consistency. Despite the rise in recorded errors, the panel concluded that 96 percent of key decisions remained correct, per Sky Sports.
