VAR controversy overshadowed Bournemouth’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Vitality Stadium, as fans reacted with outrage to decisions made during the game. The tie, held on February 28, 2025, ended dramatically, with Bournemouth advancing on penalties after drawing 1-1 with Wolves.
Early on, Bournemouth established themselves as serious contenders when Evanilson opened the scoring, leaving Wolves to find their footing. Just minutes later, Milos Kerkez appeared to extend the lead with another goal, but the celebration quickly turned to frustration as fans were subjected to almost eight minutes of VAR checks. Confusion erupted when it became clear the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving Wolves with new hope after what appeared to be a mountain to climb.
The long VAR review, managed by referee Sam Barrott and VAR official Timothy Wood, was prompted by uncertainty over player positioning and potential handball. The semi-automated VAR system, which was meant to speed up decision-making thanks to high-speed cameras, was unable to function correctly during this incident, forcing officials to revert to manual checks. This led to chants of “it’s not football anymore” and “this is embarrassing” echoing around the ground.
“Absolutely mess of a system!” commented one fan on social media, capturing widespread discontent. Another added criticism with, “The standard of officiation is dropping every week.” Many shared their dissatisfaction, raising questions about the reliability of VAR technology, especially on its debut weekend for the FA Cup.
Despite the upheaval, Wolves clawed their way back thanks to Matheus Cunha, who netted an impressive equalizer, seizing on momentum and reigniting their chances. The Brazilian took the spotlight with his phenomenal strike from outside the box, earning praise for his skill amid the chaos. Yet, as the match reached its climax during extra time, Cunha’s night took another turn; he was sent off for violent conduct following a heated exchange.
After returning to the pitch following the VAR debacle, the teams fought hard with neither able to find another breakthrough, leading to penalties to decide the winner. Eventually, Bournemouth emerged victorious after Wolves faltered during the shootout, ending their FA Cup hopes. Fans celebrated, albeit with mixed feelings, still buzzing from the VAR chaos earlier.
This match encapsulated the growing urgency for improvements to the officiation system within football, as Premier League executives prepare to implement semi-automated technology more broadly. The experience of this tie highlighted both the excitement and the challenges technology may create, begging the question—can the sport balance tradition with technological progress?