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Most controversial VAR decisions revealed ahead of Premier League

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United was named the most controversial VAR incident.
30.92% of all English Premier League matches have seen a VAR intervention.
The data also shows a 23.96% year-on-year decrease in average VAR controversy.
The Premier League appears to be tracking UEFA’s roll out, with changes made just 0.62% more frequently in the English top flight.
PGMOL has announced a string of new rule changes.

The Premier League is hoping a string of new rule changes can inject new life into VAR technology when the 30th Premier League season gets underway on 13th August.

From thicker offside lines to new handball rules, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has set out its stall for the 2021-2022 domestic campaign which is almost upon us.

Accidental handballs in the build-up to goals will no longer be deemed an offence, while thicker offside lines will be used in order to eliminate situations where a goal is ruled out due to a toenail being offside.

And following a string of ‘armpit offsides’ last season, FIFA has also clarified that the bottom of a players’ armpit is to be classed as part of a players’ body.

While the technology’s use in the English top-flight has courted more than its fair share of detractors, Credible or VAR-cical by William Hill, can reveal a good level of progress has already been made with average controversy dropping by 29.36% last season.

The controversy rating of an incident, of which there has been 235 in total over the last two seasons, now sits at 5.14 having been 6.76 during its turbulent debut season. That equates to a change made by VAR every 3.23 matches.

Across the 504 matches under UEFA’s jurisdiction, from February 2019 through to the 2021 Champions League Final, there were 157 changes made, or a change every 3.21 matches.

Kurt Zouma’s cancelled strike against Manchester United in February 2020, ruled out by VAR official Chris Kavanagh, is considered the most controversial VAR call in Premier League history, with a controversy score of 10.7.

William Hill’s Credible or VAR-cical analysis has been tracking Premier League VAR incidents ever since Gabriel Jesus was ruled offside by David Coote on August 10, 2019 (the first ever VAR review in EPL history – rated at 7.92).

The data shows that in total, there have been a total of 235 incidents, or interventions, logged, with reactionary metrics such as Tweet volume, sentiment, articles generated and associated levels of engagement, culminating in a bespoke controversy rating being assigned to each.

Across the last two domestic campaigns, Wolverhampton (6.91) are the club which has been embroiled in the most controversial VAR incidents. Chelsea (6.5), Liverpool (6.34), Everton (6.25), Manchester United (6.19) make up the top five.

Brentford-based official Chris Kavanagh, who was promoted to the Select Group of referees in 2017, lands himself the unenviable title of ‘most controversial video assistant referee’, averaging 6.8.

David Coote (6.67), Kevin Friend (6.59), Lee Mason (6.51) and Andre Marriner (6.35) make up the rest of the top 5.

Africa

African iGaming Alliance names SPRIBE a Platinum Supplier Member

Published

2 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

african-igaming-alliance-names-spribe-a-platinum-supplier-member

The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has signed a strategic partnership with iGaming supplier SPRIBE, with SPRIBE joining the pan-African industry association as a Platinum Supplier Member.

AiA said the partnership will focus on regulatory engagement, industry research, responsible gaming initiatives, policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening regulated gaming markets across African jurisdictions.

According to AiA, the collaboration will also support efforts to promote effective regulation, combat illegal gambling, improve market channelisation and encourage evidence-based policymaking.

Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, Chief Executive Officer of the African iGaming Alliance (AiA), said:

“SPRIBE’s decision to join the African iGaming Alliance as a Platinum Supplier Member represents a significant endorsement of our vision for a sustainable and well-regulated African gaming industry. As one of the industry’s leading technology innovators, SPRIBE brings valuable expertise, insight, and global experience that will strengthen our efforts to support regulators, governments, operators, and other stakeholders across the continent. We look forward to working closely together to promote responsible gaming, regulatory best practice, and long-term industry sustainability.”

The post African iGaming Alliance names SPRIBE a Platinum Supplier Member appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Digital Wallets

Neosurf partners with Mercado Pago to add betting deposits in Mexico

Published

2 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

neosurf-partners-with-mercado-pago-to-add-betting-deposits-in-mexico

Neosurf has announced a partnership with Mercado Pago to expand wallet-based funding options for online betting customers in Mexico.

Under the integration, Mercado Pago wallet holders will be able to use their Mercado Pago balance to fund online betting accounts via the Neosurf wallet. Neosurf said the rollout is initially focused on the Mexican market and supports transfers to participating sports betting operators.

Mercado Pago described itself as Latin America’s leading fintech platform with more than 56 million active monthly users. Neosurf positioned the deal as part of broader growth in digital wallet adoption across Latin America, with customers seeking mobile-first payment experiences.

Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “Mexico represents a major growth market for both digital payments and online betting, and we’re incredibly excited to partner with Mercado Pago. This partnership creates a new, easy way for Mercado Pago wallet holders to use their balance to fund their online sports betting accounts through the Neosurf wallet. It reinforces our commitment to delivering secure, compliant and player focused payment solutions throughout Latin America.”

The post Neosurf partners with Mercado Pago to add betting deposits in Mexico appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

game launches

Pragmatic Play releases Mahjong Wins Triple Pot with 100,000x bonus prize

Published

2 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-releases-mahjong-wins-triple-pot-with-100,000x-bonus-prize

Pragmatic Play has launched Mahjong Wins Triple Pot, a new online slot release, the supplier said on 18th June 2026. The title introduces “golden reels” and bonus coin symbols with values of up to 100,000x.

The game uses a 4-5-5-5-4 grid with tumble mechanics. Pragmatic Play said consecutive tumble wins trigger a progressive multiplier trail that increases payouts by 2x, 3x and 5x until the end of the spin.

The supplier added that random symbols on reels 2-4 can be marked gold and then transform into a wild on the subsequent tumble if they form part of a winning combination.

Three scatter types (blue, red and purple) are collected into pots above the middle three reels and can randomly trigger a bonus with eight free spins. Pragmatic Play said the feature marks the full reel below in gold and can award an instant cash prize of up to 100,000x, with boosted multipliers during the bonus.

Pragmatic Play positioned the release as a follow-up to Mahjong Wins Super Scatter.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Mahjong Wins Triple Pot builds on the classic tile game theme with the chance to win up to 100,000x when triggering the bonus game. It is an exciting, golden addition to our portfolio inspired by the East Asian pastime.”

The post Pragmatic Play releases Mahjong Wins Triple Pot with 100,000x bonus prize appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.