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      Chelsea fans rage as Raheem Sterling denied penalty with NO VAR after Brentford shove as fans say ‘refereeing finished’

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      CHELSEA fans were left fuming after VAR ignored Raheem Sterling’s shout for a penalty.

      Blues fans flooded X with Tweets, with even an ARSENAL fan among those arguing it should have been called.

      Raheem Sterling was seemingly pushed by Mads Roerslev, but the Chelsea winger’s penalty calls were dismissed by VAR

      that’s got to be a penalty he’s literally just pushed sterling in the back, uno the refereeing is finished when i’m calling for a chelsea penalty.— jayden (@JayZAFC) October 28, 2023

      JayZAFC wrote: “That’s got to be a penalty he’s literally just pushed Sterling in the back.

      “[You know] the refereeing is finished when I’m calling for a Chelsea penalty.”

      The incident came mid-way through the first half of Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to local rivals Brentford – their first defeat in four games in all competitions.

      Cole Palmer floated an excellent cross into the box with Sterling racing to get onto the end of it.

      The English winger was then seemingly shoved from behind by Mads Roerslev, who made no attempt to play the ball.

      The home fans cries went ignored and then VAR too waved off the penalty appeal after a short check.

      The Blues huffed and puffed in the first half but failed to create another clear-cut chance, with Mauricio Pochettino also clashing with a fan who hit out at Nicolas Jackson.

      Despite Chelsea having 70 per cent possession at home, Ethan Pinnock punished them with a towering header after an hour.

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      The huge defender arrived late at the back post to crash home a header just inside the six-yard box and make it 1-0 to Brentford.

      The Blues continued to struggle in the final third and were punished when chasing a late equaliser, Bryan Mbeumo slotting into an empty net after Robert Sanchez went forward for a corner.

      That’s a clear push on Sterling. How is that not a penalty?— P (@ForeverBlue_07) October 28, 2023

      I’ll say it again, WTF is the point in this #var ?!!!!! Last night it was handball for the Palace goal and just now, it’s a clear push on Sterling for a penalty! #PremierLeague sort your officials out!! 🤬🤬— Steve (@Cozzer2) October 28, 2023 More

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      Premier League refs slammed as LAZY and ‘not good enough’ by former official after series of VAR blunders

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      FORMER Premier League referee Keith Hackett has slammed the current crop of top flight officials.Following a series of VAR blunders already this season, the ex-ref believes the officials are “not good enough”.
      Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has slammed the current crop of officialsCredit: Getty
      Darren England’s mistake during Tottenham vs Liverpool is one of several VAR blundersCredit: Getty
      He also criticised their laziness in a scathing review of the current standards.
      There have already been several high-profile blunders so far this term, most notably in Liverpool’s defeat at Tottenham last month.
      The Reds had a goal wrongly disallowed after VAR official Darren England failed to overturn the on-field decision.
      Hackett has now given his thoughts on the Premier League’s level of officiating.
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      Speaking on the Fair Game’s We Love You Football, We Do podcast, he said: “What we have seen over the years is a decline in the standards of refereeing.
      “They’ve lost some of the required management skills, the good communication skills between players and referees.
      “There are some referees that have reached the dizzying heights (of the Premier League) who have shortfalls in capability and I don’t think they are good enough.”
      The 79-year-old took charge of the 1981 FA Cup final and was an official at the Euros and Olympics in 1988.
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      Hackett believes VAR is promoting ‘lazy refereeing’Credit: Alamy
      He later became a Premier League referee and officiated 36 matches between 1992 and 1994.
      “There is a lack of basic law knowledge,” Hackett continued. “VAR protocol says if there is a serious missed incident, the game can be stopped.
      “Referees are practitioners of the law and if they’re not studying the law on a regular basis, we’re not going to advance refereeing.
      “Referees get into trouble these days because they are lazy.
      “Nigel Owens, the top-class rugby referee, warned me that the danger you have with VAR is it will promote lazy refereeing. And it has done that. I see referees hesitating on what is clearly a penalty.
      “Is it fear that they don’t want to make an error or is it that they are waiting for the decision to come from the stop department?
      “The role of the referee has to be to make the decision and then VAR to come in and help.” More

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      Blunder official Darren England to referee first match since Liverpool-Tottenham VAR drama in derby clash

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      BLUNDER referee Darren England will officiate a match for the first time since last month’s VAR horror show between Liverpool and Tottenham.The under-pressure official has been tasked with taking charge of Saturday’s Severnside derby between Cardiff and Bristol City.
      VAR blunder ref Darren England is set to officiate a game this weekendCredit: PA
      England was on VAR duty when Spurs bagged a controversial 2-1 win over Liverpool at the end of September.
      The Reds had two men sent off on a disastrous day in north London.
      But the biggest talking point was VAR’s failure to intervene when a legitimate Luis Diaz strike was deemed offside.
      X-rated audio allowed fans to hear England reflect on his major cock-up, with the disallowed strike changing the course of the game.
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      England was axed from his upcoming VAR duties as a result.
      And he only returned to action at the weekend as the fourth official for Brentford’s 3-0 win against Burnley.
      However, England will be the main man for this Saturday’s clash between Cardiff and Bristol City.
      The heated derby game will require a cool head.
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      And the PGMOL feel England is ready to take on full duties again.
      Howard Webb explained why VAR failed to rectify England’s clear mistake during an episode of Match Officials: Mic’d Up.

      He said that England “lost sight of what the on-field decision was” after going through his processes “pretty quickly” and claimed that efficiency is key but “not at the sacrifice of accuracy”.
      Webb also then confirmed that the laws of the game, as set out by Fifa and IFAB, did not allow the officials to intervene to rectify the mistake. More

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      FA call for ROBOT REFEREES to be introduced after series of Premier League blunders

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      THE Football Association have called on Robot Referees to be part of English football.Semi-automated offside technology was used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals and is deployed by the top officials in the Champions League.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious at refereeing and VAR decisions when his nine-man Liverpool side lost 2-1 at Spurs on September 30Credit: Rex
      Instead of robot payers like these at the 17th International Iran Open Robocup 2023, English football could get mechanical refsCredit: EPA
      Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb has come under fire after several cock-ups involving the use of VAR in high-profile matches.
      Mark Bullingham – the chief executive of the FA – has now waded into the debate and asked for more technology to be considered by officiating teams.
      Bullingham told a Leaders Week conference in London: “You should never have a scenario where you take away from the experience in the stadium or at home.
      “We’ve got to be really, really careful for that.
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      “Of course people used to complain about decisions being made wrong and it’s important to get decisions right, so that’s the starting point.
      “In terms of technology, the question is: Are there ways you can make the decisions quicker?
      “Because I think everyone hates that long pause in the stadium or at home.
      “You’re seeing technological innovations in terms of, for example, semi-autonomous offsides. Can it eventually go autonomous?
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      “And is that going to be a step where you get completely accurate decisions but made very, very quickly?
      “So if you could do that, well that would be better for the fans. That’s an area absolutely to keep exploring.
      “Of course, we’d look at any idea that comes through but really you’ve got to be quite careful not to interrupt the flow of the game any further than that.”
      One the biggest screw-ups this season involved Luis Diaz having a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside for Liverpool in their 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on September 30.
      The audio of the bungling VAR discussion which led to that by error was eventually released by the PGMOL.
      Usually punters are kept in the dark about conversations that happen with the on-field referee.
      Speaking in general terms, Bullingham is in favour of more transparency for those in the stadiums and watching on TV.
      Bullingham said: “My personal point of view is that I’d love to get to the point where the fans have more access to the conversation that takes place between the VAR and the referee.
      “I also understand the referees’ perspective on that, they’ve got an incredibly hard job already.

      “Sometimes there are language issues and so particularly in international tournaments, they don’t want anything taken out of context.
      “So I understand the pressure they’re under. I think what we’ve done already is make a step forwards by having decisions that are made now explained.
      “That’s the trial going on at Fifa tournaments and I’m confident that that will then be rolled out more broadly.
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      “I think that’s a step in the direction of giving more transparency to fans on decisions. It’s a complicated area but I do think that’s the direction of travel.”

      The FA are considering ways of changing the format of the women’s FA Cup, which is a traditional knockout competition like the men’s event. Chelsea are the current holders after beating Manchester United in the final in front of 77,000 fans in May. More

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      How fans want Premier League to look, with foreign referees and VAR scrapped… but one controversial rule KEPT

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      PREMIER LEAGUE fans are often quick to point the finger at officials when things don’t go right for their clubs. But a new survey has revealed what they’d do to change the landscape of the league’s refereeing if it was up to them.
      Premier League fans have had their say on what they would change about the league’s refereeingCredit: Getty
      VAR has been a hot topic this season with a number of high profile errorsCredit: Reuters
      Supporters were quizzed in a new poll by BetVictor over what they would like to see changed about officiating in the Premier League.
      There has already been a number of high profile mistakes by VAR this season, not least Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal vs Tottenham.
      And it would appear that fans have come to the end of their tether with the technology and are ready to get rid of it.
      Over half (54.4 per cent) of fans said they would get rid of VAR if they had the option to do so.
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      But it’s not just the tech that fans are sick of, but those in charge of it too.
      Over two thirds of fans (68.6 per cent) think the PGMOL should broaden their horizons and widen their refereeing pool by considering the inclusion of more foreign officials.
      There is currently just one referee in the Premier League who doesn’t herald from England.
      Aussie Jarred Gillett joined the division in 2021 after successful spells officiating in the Australian A-League and the English Football League.
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      Australian Jarred Gillett is the only non-English referee in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      But fans seem to think that one external hire isn’t enough and would like to see the league cherry-pick the footballing world’s best refs.
      Despite a pretty damning assessment of the current Premier League officiating, there is one new rule than supporters are keen on.
      Fans appear to like the increased added time that has come into action this term and are happy for it to stick around.
      With even more late drama and an increase in last grasp goals an overwhelming 65 per cent of Premier League fans want the new added time rules to continue going forward.
      Tottenham completed the latest winning comeback in Premier League history earlier this season thanks to a whopping 16 minutes of added timeCredit: Getty More

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      Blunder VAR officials Darren England and Daniel Cook’s Premier League return confirmed after Liverpool shambles

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      VAR blunder officials Darren England and Daniel Cook are returning to Premier League duty this weekend.The duo hit the headlines last month following their glaring error in the clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.
      VAR blunder official Darren England is returning to action this weekendCredit: Getty
      England and Cook were the VAR and VAR assistant when Liverpool forward Luis Diaz’s goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside as the Merseysiders went on to lose 2-1.
      The Colombian international thought he’d put the visitors in the lead in the 34th minute with a nifty finish just inside the 18-yard box.
      However, on-field ref Simon Hooper and VAR official England bizarrely ruled out the goal with Cook also failing to intervene – despite replays clearly showing Diaz was onside.
      Prem chiefs came down hard on VAR man for the day England and VAR assistant Cook by removing them from their next proposed outing – Nottingham Forest vs Brentford earlier this month.
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      But the pair are both returning for the next round of fixtures after weeks in the spotlight.
      England is fourth official for Brentford’s home game against Burnley on Saturday.
      Cook will be assistant referee for Sheffield United’s match against Manchester United.
      Meanwhile, Hooper is the designated VAR for Newcastle’s clash with Crystal Palace.
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      The expletive filled audio of the VAR gaffe behind Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal was released after the farce.
      The clip reveals VAR officials England and assistant Cook drew the lines showing that Diaz was onside.
      The indication was then given by the officials that the check was complete, with on-field referee Hooper heard saying: “Well done boys good process.”
      However, the officials then realised play had resumed without the correct call being made on field after the replay operator queried the decision.
      Upon being asked again by the replay operator about the outcome of the decision, the VAR team then became aware the incorrect call had been made.
      Assistant video referee Cook then backs this up by saying: “That’s wrong Daz.”
      Upon realising the error, England be heard saying: “Oh ****.”
      The replay operator can be heard requesting to delay the game, but since it had already resumed there was no way to pull it back.
      England can be heard saying: “I can’t do anything”, before swearing once again.
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb explained why VAR failed to rectify the clear mistake during an episode of Match Officials: Mic’d Up.
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      He said that England “lost sight of what the on-field decision was” after going through his processes “pretty quickly” and claimed that efficiency is key but “not at the sacrifice of accuracy”.
      Webb also then confirmed that the laws of the game, as set out by Fifa and IFAB, did not allow the officials to intervene to rectify the mistake. More

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      Football should consider drastic rule change with refs too quick to show red card with grossly-exaggerated punishments

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      WHEN your team is a goal behind and the opposition start to use cunning ploys to run down the clock, you will get excitable.However, when you are one-goal up and under pressure, you will smile along with your mates if your team use clever delaying tactics up to the final whistle.
      Referees are brandishing red cards a lot easier with the new rule changeCredit: Getty
      Unfortunately, Fifa can’t spot a minor blemish on the field of play without taking a bulldozer to it.
      So in August, timewasting became a regular yellow-card incident — of which there were no fewer than six in the Women’s Super League last weekend and 11 in the Premier League a week before.
      Of course, two yellow cards become a red and an immediate one-match ban.
      That was what happened to England defender Alex Greenwood on Sunday.
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      She took a couple of seconds too long in ­sizing up alternatives with a free-kick, received her second yellow and got sent off.
      Greenwood had taken 26 seconds to play the ball after Emily Heaslip awarded Manchester City a free-kick in the 38th minute of their key home WSL game against Chelsea.

      She had already passed it as ref Heaslip strode towards her to issue her sanction — and Greenwood’s delivery was below last season’s average 34 seconds.
      Would VAR have saved her?
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      Even if they were allowed to review second bookings, judging by recent instances, guardians of the monitors in Stockley Park might have been nodding off at the time.
      In all, Heaslip showed 11 yellows and two reds in this ONE game, which smacks of being a little over-zealous.
      But I wasn’t there and, like most people, I feel referees have a highly challenging job and strong criticism is often unjust.
      FIFA see them as policemen with whistles — the sustainers of law and order.
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      Karren Brady insists Fifa should address this latest issueCredit: Getty
      True, refs should be decisive but equally they should avoid being pedantic.
      As far as I am aware, there was no gain for Greenwood in delaying her free-kick by a few seconds — and she was actually quicker than the normal.
      We’ve all seen occasions where players exaggerate minor knocks — and frankly, if they are not wearing shin pads they shouldn’t complain too pitiably.
      Every regular fan can point to other annoying examples of time- wasting and that was why the authorities were anxious to use the rules to give them better value for their money.
      This has led to numerous 100-minute matches in the men’s and women’s game.
      Last week’s Premier League fixture between Fulham and Sheffield United racked up just a few seconds short of 114 minutes.
      More second yellow cards for time-wasting are being issued by refereesCredit: Rex
      Fair enough. But the rights of players should be protected and refs should try not to spoil a contest by harsh punishments for trivial delays.
      Maybe it is time to consider a sin-bin.
      It works in rugby union in the form of a ten-minute penalty for fairly serious offences — which surely nobody would suggest of a four-second delay in taking a throw-in.
      Far more infuriating are the delays for falsified injury; while players celebrate scoring by scrummaging with fans in the crowd; the age to bring on substitutes and other time-cheating on a Dr Who scale.
      Worst of all are minutes waiting for head-scratching VAR experts, baffled so often by a handball or offside.
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      My view? Wasted time is a bore.
      But the punishment should fit the crime — not grossly exceed it. More

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      SFA write to Uefa and demand answers over disallowed Scotland ‘goal’ vs Spain – and question missing VAR penalty check

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      THE SFA have demanded answers from UEFA over Scott McTominay’s disallowed wonder strike.SunSport Online revealed this morning how the Scotland star’s sensational free-kick against Spain in Seville last night was chalked off for offside.
      Iain Maxwell and Mike Mulraney want answers from NyonCredit: Willie Vass
      Referee Serdar Gözübüyük went to the monitor before disallowing Scott McTominay’s stunnerCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      The free-kick was ruled out for two reasons – initially a foul and later offsideCredit: viaplay
      High ranking sources within European football’s governing body confirmed to us Jack Hendry did NOT foul goalkeeper Unai Simon as first claimed.
      That has left Hampden chiefs baffled given Dutch referee Sendar Gozubuyuk made a key mistake by failing to signal correctly after a VAR check.
      And they’ve now sent a letter to Euro chiefs outline their disapproval and questioning the chronology of events.
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke insisted in his post-match interviews he wasn’t seeking any clarification.

      However, the SFA have today lobbied Euro bigwigs for answers.
      They’ve written to Uefa’s Head of Refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, for an explanation on the confusion and contradiction surrounding the ‘goal’.
      They also want know why it took 16 minutes to change the reason for the decision from foul to off-side.
      Other flashpoints in the game have also formed part of their letter.
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      It’s believed Scotland’s chiefs were also stunned that a potential second-half penalty for Lyndon Dykes didn’t appear to be looked at by VAR.
      There were other decisions ref Gozubuyuk made which will be included in the correspondence.
      John McGinn was clearly body-checked in the first-half but the woeful whistler insisted no foul had been committed.
      It’s unlikely the SFA’s pleas will lead to any significant outcome on the matter.
      However, president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell and determined to take it further to give the Tartan Army answers.
      SunSport spoke to a source at Uefa earlier today who told us: “The referee’s decision at the free-kick was for offside.
      “After the on-field review, the decision was offside as the attacking player (Jack  Hendry) was touching and standing in front of the goalkeeper.
      “Therefore, according to Law 11 for Offside, the attacker impacted on his opponent – the goalkeeper – playing or attempting to play the ball.”
      The decision had massive consequences for Scotland as it would have put Scotland ahead in the key qualifier.
      But the decision lifted the home support in the La Cartuja Stadium and goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet saw Spain win 2-0.
      In a further officiating twist, the official Uefa Referee Delegate for the match was switched in the days before the game.
      It was originally supposed to be experienced Italian Rosetti, but he withdrew for personal reasons.
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      Pole Tomasz Mikulski was to be ref observer at Israel’s match against Switzerland but when it was postponed he replaced Rosetti in Seville.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More