Chelsea fans can’t wait for vote on scrapping VAR as Blues have pen overturned and Mudryk ‘elbowed’ and no foul given

FED-UP Chelsea fans can’t wait for this summer’s vote on the future of VAR – after two huge controversies in the Premier League clash at Brighton.

The Blues had a penalty overturned and saw old boy Tariq Lamptey unpunished for what some viewers claimed was a nasty “elbow”.

Premier League clubs will soon vote on whether video reviews will stay next season.

And there were two major examples at the Amex Stadium of why it’s such a heated issue.

First, referee Michael Salisbury gave a spot-kick when Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte appeared to win the ball against ex-Seagull Marc Cucurella.

But before the Blues could take the spot-kick, VAR intervened.

Salisbury was sent over to watch the tackle on a pitch-side monitor – and reversed his on-field verdict.

Fans were also baffled as Chelsea were instead given a goal kick, despite Buonanotte’s touch of the ball being the reason the penalty was not awarded.

One fan responded: “No mention that Chelsea were robbed of a corner as a result of a referee mistake. Good use of VAR.”

Another suggested: “Proves that the refs are clowns & not VAR.”

However, rules state that a drop ball must be given for every penalty award that is reversed by VAR.

And ironically, the Blues BENEFITED from that exact same rule during their home fixture against Brighton.

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At Stamford Bridge, the Seagulls were awarded a last gasp penalty for handball despite the ball striking Levi Colwill in the face.

And Roberto De Zerbi’s players were then furious as they were denied the corner they would have been entitled to had a penalty not been given at all.

Frustrated Chelsea supporters at the Amex also insisted Lamptey deserved a red card for a tangle with Mudryk that led to the winger being replaced by Christopher Nkunku before half-time.

One observer reacted: “’No conclusive evidence’. VAR isn’t the problem. It’s the officials behind the screen who are the problem in England.”

Another posted: “Var continues to be a joke vs Chelsea btw.”

And a third wrote: “Two VAR checks/decisions have gone against Chelsea in this first half.”

Fortunately for the Blues, they were able to win anyway as Cole Palmer and Christian Nkunku netted in a 2-1 victory.

But in a rather less controversial intervention, VAR did play its part again in the 88th minute as Reece James was sent off for kicking Joao Pedro.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk