Premier League VAR delays hit 19 hours per season as fans call for time limits on checks

The Premier League is the most VAR-disrupted league in Europe - with VAR decisions causing 19 hours of delays every season. According to research gathering data from the 2017-2025 seasons, English fans collectively spend 1,126 minutes, the equivalent of almost 12 whole matches, waiting for referees to review video evidence in the domestic league. The league witnessed more interventions than the European average, with Spanish La Liga recording 1,086 minutes of wait time due to VAR. Italy's Serie A supporters endured a total wait of 823 minutes, while Germany's Bundesliga accumulated a total delay of 604 minutes, according to findings compiled by Snickers, in partnership with Opta. This follows a dramatic VAR decision during the Arsenal and West Ham clash, denying West Ham a stoppage-time equaliser that could have a significant bearing on both the title race and the relegation battle. To help fans deal with the frustration that comes with the agonising VAR, Snickers has teamed up with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche to launch a 'VAR Spa,' - a tongue-in-cheek mobile wellness experience to help calm supporters down. A short film shows Dyche taking his no-nonsense style off the touchline and into everyday settings - from a family living room to a laundrette and a café - inviting fans into the van, which acts as a travelling 'relief unit' for anyone who is hangry and losing patience during VAR checks. Sean Dyche said: "I've been around football long enough to know a long VAR check can test anybody's patience. "The game stops, everyone starts overthinking it, hunger kicks in and suddenly a five-second decision feels like it's lasting all afternoon." Everton , Brentford and Fulham are amongst those most likely to feel VAR is working against them. However, Arsenal is statistically Europe's most VAR-affected club, with 78 recorded incidents and 80 minutes of delays since the technology was introduced into the Premier League . They were followed by West Ham (68 VAR incidents) and Brighton and Hove Albion (60 VAR incidents). Remarkably, seven of the top 10 most affected clubs across Europe hail from the Premier League. More than one in three fans (36%) feel VAR has made watching the 'beautiful game' less enjoyable, while 37% believe it has made football too slow, with the majority of supporters calling for time limits to be placed on interventions. Delia Francoise Lendais-Metral, from Snickers, said: "Every footy fan knows the feeling when a VAR check drags on forever. "Patience goes, tempers fray and hunger only makes it worse, because you're not you when you're hungry. "We can't speed up VAR, but we can help fans cope with the wait that comes with it and who better to take that message to the masses with the VAR spa than Sean Dyche."