Chelsea news: Pundit demands radical change as Thiago Silva controversy analysed
Frank McAvennie wants officials conversations to be broadcasted after Chelsea defender Thiago Silva escaped a red card against Crystal Palace on Saturday (1 October).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said fans “deserve an explanation” when decisions are made.
As shown on Match of the Day (1 October), Silva was booked by referee Chris Kavanagh for pushing the ball away from Jordan Ayew with his hand in the second half at Selhurst Park.
The on-field decision was upheld by VAR despite the fact that Silva appeared to be Chelsea’s last defender.
Palace went on to lose the game 2-1 with Silva assisting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s equaliser.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the controversial incident on Saturday, McAvennie said: “It’s too big an industry to have incompetent referees.
“Something’s got to give with VAR. Mic the ref up, give us an explanation. They do it in rugby and everyone accepts it. That’s the next thing that’s going to come in. They’re going to have to mic the ref up so people know what’s happening.
“I just think VAR’s got to be sorted. The referees at Stockley Park are there to help the referee, not overturn the decisions. Don’t make decisions for them. If they do make a decision the referee should be able to tell the crowd ‘Stockley Park says no’, let them boo them rather than the refs.“
In other news, a pundit has told Todd Boehly to scrap controversial new Chelsea plans after latest twist.