Cesar Azpilicueta has spoken out after he was the victim of Giovani Lo Celso’s challenge during Chelsea’s win over Tottenham.
Lo Celso avoided red despite appearing to stamp on Azpilicueta with VAR deciding that no punishment was needed.
The Tottenham midfielder’s studs appeared to crunch down on the Blues defender with Azpilicueta in severe pain but avoiding serious injury.
VAR did review the incident, looking at multiple angles, however concluded the challenge was not even worthy of a yellow card.
And Azpilicueta was surprised that the tackle was not deemed worthy of a sending off.
Referee chiefs admit VAR clanger as Giovani Lo Celso escapes red card decision
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Speaking to BT Sport following the game, the Spaniard said: “I’m not a player that likes to be on the floor because I'm tough but it was not my fault because it was a clear stamp on my shin, I felt it straight away.
"I was surprised it was not a red card, not even a yellow card.
“Obviously everybody makes mistakes but when you have a lot of replays it could be easier."
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And after Manchester United ace Harry Maguire escaped punishment for appearing to kick out against Chelsea on Monday night, Blues boss Frank Lampard is growing frustrated at VAR.
He said: "It is not good enough, that is two VARs in two games, it is hard to shout about it when you have lost but today everybody saw that. It is a red.
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"I hate to call for red cards but that [Lo Celso’s challenge] is a leg breaker. I am not saying about referees on the spot, VAR is here to clear things up and it is not good enough."
The body responsible for match officials, PGMOL, have now acknowledged that Lo Celso’s challenge should have been red.
BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted: “UPDATE from PGMOL on Lo Celso: they now say that, on reflection, it could have been a red card. They said it was a human making a subjective decision.”
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