Mauricio Pochettino has criticised the use of VAR, saying the technology has ‘damaged the image of English football’ after Chelsea were denied a last minute goal in their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
For a while it looked as though the Blues would have to settle for another disappointing loss at the hands of a top four team, but a resurgence in the second half allowed Chelsea to fight back and equalise.
The chance to claim victory almost arrived in the final moments of the game, as Axel Disasi tapped a corner into the back of Villa’s net. Shortly after, the goal went to VAR, and was swiftly denied after Benoit Badiashile was accused of shoving Diego Carlos in the build-up.
Blues boss Pochettino was left frustrated, feeling as though his players deserved to win. Speaking after the game, he branded the decision ‘ridiculous’.
He told TNT Sports: “Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed. Two different things, the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.
“The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things happened in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago, it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee didn’t check it.
“It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.
“They said it was foul and if you see the challenge, what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn’t finish the game with 11 [players]. We can talk about the performance or the decision – it is damaging the game.”
Chelsea return from Villa Park with one point and return to action on Thursday when they face Tottenham Hotspur.
What we know
- Mauricio Pochettino has blamed VAR for ‘damaging’ football following Chelsea’s disallowed goal at Aston Villa
- The Blues trailed by two goals before fighting back to equalise at Villa Park
- They were denied a third goal after a controversial foul by Benoit Badiashile.
