Exclusive: VAR should have overturned goal vs Chelsea after ‘clear & obvious error’
Filip Jorgensen was very unfortunate to concede a penalty for Chelsea in their 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Liam Delap appeared to have committed an act of simulation in order to win the spot-kick.
Having won the penalty, it was Delap who then stepped up to convert the spot-kick, before former Chelsea man Omari Hutchinson scored against his former club to seal a 2-0 win for Ipswich.
There was though some controversy about the award of the spot kick, and Hackett has now given his thoughts on the decision made by referee John Brooks.
Keith Hackett issues reaction after Chelsea left frustrated by Ipswich penalty award
With just ten minutes on the clock, Delap broke into the opposition penalty, before going down under the challenge of Jorgensen.
Having impressed in the Conference League this season, the game at Portman Road on Monday (30 December) represented a rare Premier League appearance for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
However, he was quickly penalised for that challange, although replays suggested that the contact he made with the Ipswich striker was minimal, and may have come after he began to fall to ground.
Despite that, the decision was confirmed by VAR, and there was plenty of debate generated about the award of the spot kick, with many fans of Enzo Maresca’s side far from happy with the decision.
Giving his own thoughts on the decision, former referee Hackett told Football Insider:
“Oh dear. That exaggerated fall to the ground gives me sufficient evidence that this was more an act of simulation.
“I would have expected the VAR to have suggested to the referee a visit to the monitor to take another look. The award of a penalty kick meets the criteria for a clear and obvious error.”
That loss to Ipswich means Chelsea have now suffered back-to-back defeats after being beaten 2-1, and mocked, by local rivals Fulham on Boxing Day.
For the Tractor Boys, that win represented a first at home in the league all season, lifting them to 18th in the Premier League, just one point from safety.
In other news, Chelsea are being tipped to sell multiple senior players in the January transfer window.
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