Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Chelsea, Fulham, Premier League, VAR, Football
Luke Davies
Supporters and former players have absolutely slammed a decision during Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
The West London rivals went head-to-head on Saturday, with both sides looking to build on positive results from game week two.
The match began in a relatively low-key fashion before Fulham took the lead – or so they thought – through Josh King on 21 minutes.
King left Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez no chance when finishing off a smart move from the away side.
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However, the celebrations were quickly cut short when referee Rob Jones was sent to the pitch side VAR monitor to check a possible foul by Rodrigo Muniz on Trevoh Chalobah near the halfway line during the build-up to the goal.
Jones then explained that the goal would not stand because of a "careless tackle" to the dismay of Fulham head coach Marco Silva, who was incensed on the touchline.
Jones addressed the crowd, saying: “After review, Fulham number nine commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal and we restart with a Chelsea free kick. There would be no further action.”
Several former players quickly weighed in with their thoughts on the decision, as well as fans, with some dubbing the call as one of the worst in Premier League history.
Former Premier League defender Curtis Davies told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I'm fuming and I'm a defender and usually I'm on the side of the defender.
“Trevor Chalobah has gone for a tackle that was never in his favour. Rodrigo Muniz takes the ball and accidentally steps on his foot. I don't know how that's a foul, never mind taking off the goal.
“It's ridiculous.”
Then, Jamie Carragher took to X to voice his opinion.
“VAR has had a shocking start to the season,” the former Liverpool defender wrote.
And one fan even dubbed the decision as one of the “worst VAR interventions in Premier League history”.
Another added: "'Careless challenge'?!? He's in possession of the ball ffs.
"Absolute clown show. Getting worse every week. The referee is standing five yards (???) away and looking directly at the incident."
While a second exclaimed: "Absolutely ridiculous. Not only is it wrong, it's also not a clear and obvious error. Where was he supposed to put his foot down?
"The VAR is re-refereeing the game. There is no point sending a ref to the monitor, when the result is already given."