By Martin Graham
The pain of a VAR intervention was perhaps never more acute than on 24 May 2025, when Sheffield United supporters saw their side’s second goal in the Championship play-off final disallowed. At Wembley, Harrison Burrows thought he had doubled the Blades’ lead against Sunderland, only for the decision to be overturned after a review ruled that Vinicius Souza was obstructing goalkeeper Anthony Patterson’s view.
At 2-0, Chris Wilder’s side looked firmly in control and on course for promotion. Instead, that moment became the only time VAR was used all campaign, turning the game on its head and opening the door to a Sunderland comeback.
Wilder later questioned the call, arguing that it was unlikely the goalie would have reached the shot regardless, and highlighted the frustration of such a subjective verdict after a long season without the technology. Sunderland scored twice in the last 20 minutes to seal a 2-1 win and a return to the Premier League after eight years, leaving open the possibility that, without VAR, the result would have been very different.
Managers Divided on Equity and Impact
The debate over the introduction of VAR in the Championship has intensified during the 2025-26 season, with several controversial refereeing calls sparking further discussion. Former Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber admitted he is not a fan of the system but still believes it would lead to more accurate results.
Struber’s position reflects a broader tension: the desire for fairness in the face of concerns about the experience of the day. He argued that a league as competitive and prominent as the Championship should benefit from the same technological support seen elsewhere, especially when lower divisions in other countries already use it.
Valerien Ismael also supported its implementation, calling the need “urgent” to avoid repeated refereeing errors. Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic echoed those views after his side conceded what he described as a clearly offside goal, claiming the division’s managers were largely supportive of the move.
Atmosphere, identity and fan experience
Not everyone is convinced. Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom, while acknowledging that VAR could have swung the results in his favour, criticized its wider influence on the game. He argued that it introduces unnecessary interference and damages the atmosphere inside stadiums, even though it could correct obvious mistakes like a goal scored with the help of one hand.
Having worked in the Premier League, Heckingbottom also pointed to the contrast between divisions, suggesting that promoted teams suddenly have to adapt to a different refereeing environment. Derby County head coach John Eustace shared his concern that the introduction of VAR could dilute the physical nature of the Championship, warning against games becoming too cautious.
Supporters seem even more adamantly opposed. In a BBC Sport poll, 82% of respondents rejected the idea of ​​VAR in the second tier, with many fans preferring the immediacy and excitement of the current experience. Some argued that football should remain an entertainment spectacle, where human error is part of the drama, rather than a process dictated by marginal technical decisions.
Practical challenges and future possibilities
Beyond opinions, the implementation of VAR in the Championship would present significant logistical and financial obstacles. All 24 stadiums should be equipped with the necessary technology, while Professional Game Match Officials Limited should expand its pool of trained officials.
The English Football League has confirmed that the matter remains under review, with ongoing discussions with clubs. An alternative being considered is the International Football Association Board’s soccer video support system, which allows coaches a limited number of challenges per match and is currently being tested in several countries.
Any decision will ultimately depend on multiple factors, including cost, infrastructure and the effect on fans and broadcasters. Crucially, any change would have to be approved by the majority of Championship clubs before it could be introduced.
