The controversial sequence unfolded around the 25- to 28-minute mark in a tense, end-to-end encounter. First, a Crystal Palace defender (widely identified in fan clips and social media as Marc Guehi or a teammate in the box) appeared to handle the ball with an arm raised in an unnatural position during a Chelsea attack—contact that many observers deemed deliberate or at least worthy of review under current handball rules (unnatural silhouette, making the body bigger). Replays shared online showed the ball striking the arm, yet referee (officiating crew under scrutiny, though no specific name tied to the exact calls in immediate reports) waved play on immediately, with no whistle and no VAR check initiated.
Barely 20 seconds later, Chelsea suffered another blow: a blatant push or trip on a Blues forward (likely involving Moisés Caicedo or another in the area during a set-piece or scramble) inside the penalty box went unpunished. The challenge looked clear on initial viewing—contact sufficient to bring the player down—yet again, the referee allowed play to continue without hesitation, and VAR stayed silent despite the proximity to goal and potential game-changing impact.
The double snub left Chelsea players furious—gesturing wildly at the officials—and the traveling supporters in the away end erupting in anger, chanting about “cheating” and “VAR robbery.” Social media exploded with clips looping the incidents, hashtags like #VARRobbery and #ChelseaRobbed trending, and fans accusing the system of “inconsistency” and “selective blindness,” especially given other recent decisions that have gone against the Blues (including handball controversies in prior games). Many pointed out that similar arm positions or pushes have been penalized elsewhere this season, questioning why these were overlooked.
Chelsea eventually overcame the frustration to win 3-1, with goals including a penalty (awarded later via VAR for a separate incident) and strong finishes, but the early non-calls dominated post-match talk. Manager Liam Rosenior was measured in comments, noting the team’s resilience but subtly highlighting “frustrating moments” that could have changed the game’s flow earlier. Pundits on platforms like BBC and Sky debated the calls: some argued the handball was “accidental” or not “clear and obvious” enough for VAR to intervene, while others called it a “stonewall” miss that risked altering momentum.
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner, in a classy post-match nod, praised Chelsea’s quality (including Cole Palmer’s influence) despite the defeat, but the refereeing flashpoints overshadowed much of the discussion. For Chelsea fans, it added to a season-long narrative of perceived officiating grievances—late concessions, ignored fouls, and fine-margin frustrations—that could prove costly in a tight top-four race.
The incidents serve as another reminder of the ongoing debates around Premier League VAR application: why some subjective calls trigger reviews while others don’t, and how quickly they can swing emotions in high-stakes games. Chelsea ground out the three points regardless, but the fury over those 20 seconds lingers, ensuring the controversy will fuel endless “what if” conversations among supporters. 🔵
What do you think—were these clear penalties, or harsh on the referee?
