Cesar Azpilicueta confirmed the obvious following Chelsea’s draw at Manchester United, stating Harry Maguire’s arms were around his neck and shoulder as the Blues pleaded for a penalty.
The Chelsea captain was hauled to the floor by Maguire inside the United box, however, no penalty was given despite the fact the VAR had a look at it.
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VAR later said in a statement: “The incident was checked and the VAR did look at it, but didn’t feel it was a clear and obvious error not to award the penalty.”
It was clear and obvious to Azpilicueta though, who believes referee Martin Atkinson should have been instructed to look at his pitchside monitor and review the incident.
He told Sky Sports: “On the pitch, yes I felt it was. I felt his arms around my neck and shoulder.
“The referee can make the decision and VAR is there. It is difficult but I would encourage the referee to go and look at the monitor. It is there to help so why not take 20 seconds to go and review it?
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“Contact happens in football and I don’t say all contact is a penalty. No, far from that. But we all need to work together to make the game better.”
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard echoed Azpilicueta’s view on the incident, having been left bemused at the lack of help from the VAR.
Lampard said: “I thought it was a clear penalty. Clear penalty.
“Obviously I didn’t see at the time from where I’m standing. They are hard calls for referees on the pitch, but the VAR was very quick to dismiss it in my opinion.
“I think they should have taken time, advised the referee to watch the monitor.
“I think if he watches the monitor, he has to give the penalty if he sees it back again, so it’s very confusing.”
The decision potentially denied Chelsea a valuable three points with the game finishing goalless, however, Edouard Mendy did well to deny Marcus Rashford on two separate occasions.
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