Mauricio Pochettino held nothing back when speaking on the use of VAR by match officials, insisting that it is “damaging the image of English football”.
The Chelsea manager made the bold claim after his side were denied a dramatic comeback against Aston Villa, with the contest ending 2-2.
The Blues seemed to be ending a disastrous week in brilliant fashion when Axel Disasi’s header in the fourth minute of injury time completed a come from behind win from 0-2 down, however, Benoit Badiashile was judged to have committed a foul on Diego Carlos in the build up to the goal which led to it being ruled out.
The game started in disheartening fashion from a Chelsea perspective as Marc Cucurella’s own goal and Morgan Rogers’ strike put the host 2-0 up at the interval.
And with the London outfit still in the ruins from their 5-0 hammering at Arsenal, rose from the ashes after levelling the tie following goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher.
Voicing his frustrations after the game, Pochettino said to TNT Sports: “Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed. Two different things the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.
“The referee is unbelievable and it’s ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn’t check it.
“It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed.”
They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn’t finish the game with 11 [players].
“We can talk about the performance or the decision – it is damaging the game.”
With Villa on the hunt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, they were well placed to move nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham but they did not look their best.
The share of the spoils has opened the door to Spurs, who have three games in hand, but Villa are still favourites to finish in fourth as the north London club have Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to play.
Pochettino will be pleased with his charges performance as they still have a chance to qualify for Europe if they can finish strongly in what has been an inconsistent season.
“I am calm and it is only to help,” Pochettino continued.
“The performance was very good and we played really well it is true in the first half we conceded easy.
“The things we tried to change the team didn’t concede too much. To play Villa who are fighting for the top four I am pleased with the team and the players were good.
“I think that it was what we expected and today was a good opportunity against a good team. Now, we have to move on and it will be in the headlines with the disallowed goal.”
Aston Villa’s next game is a home first leg home UEFA Conference League semi-final on Thursday by 8pm, then a visit to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Chelsea’s next action is back to back London derbies at Stamford Bridge.
First against Pochettino’s former side, Tottenham on Thursday, by 7.30pm, and host West Ham on Sunday by 2pm.
