Chelsea victims of major VAR blunder as Tomas Soucek footage analysed – expert
Frank McAvennie has insisted Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty against West Ham on Saturday (11 February).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hammers striker doesn’t understand how Premier League referees continue to make so many mistakes.
As shown on BT Sport (12 February), Conor Gallagher’s low shot struck Soucek on the hand inside the box as he slid across in an attempt to make a block.
Referee Craig Pawson waved away the Blues’ shouts for a penalty and the on-field decision was upheld by the VAR official.
As quoted by Sky Sports after the game, Graham Potter praised the Irons midfielder for his “good save”.
Potter insisted that if the penalty had been given it would not have been overturned by the VAR official but said his side must accept that the decision did not go their way.
McAvennie claimed that the officials made the wrong decision.
“It was a penalty,” he told Football Insider.
“I try so hard to say he did not mean it but it was a blatant save. It was a great save. But I just do not get how the referees can make so many mistakes.
“They are trying to confuse everything. I just look at situations like that and think how could they not get that right? The game that I love is changing so much and it is not for the better.“
In other news, according to sources, Chelsea privately told it will take £100m+ record fee to lure top target Victor Osimhen.