With the tie delicately poised after Arsenal’s narrow 3-2 first-leg win at Stamford Bridge in mid-January, the return fixture delivered high drama, intense challenges, and—crucially—two major penalty appeals from Chelsea that were waved away by referee Peter Bankes and VAR, leaving Blues fans convinced they were robbed in a match of huge significance.
The incidents unfolded in the latter stages as Chelsea pushed desperately for an equalizer (or more) to force extra time or penalties. First, a strong shout arose when an Arsenal defender appeared to handle the ball inside the box during a Chelsea set-piece or scramble—clips quickly spread showing the arm making contact in a way many deemed unnatural or blocking a potential goal-bound effort. Despite appeals from players and the bench, the referee signaled no foul, awarding only a corner or play-on, with VAR opting not to intervene. The second appeal came from a challenge or tangle in the area—possibly involving João Pedro or another forward being pulled down or impeded—where contact looked clear but again went unpunished. No yellow card followed for the alleged foul, amplifying the sense of injustice.
These moments proved pivotal in a game Arsenal ultimately navigated to progress (reports indicate they held firm, potentially sealing the tie on aggregate without extra drama). Chelsea’s players and staff were visibly incensed, with on-pitch protests and heated exchanges underscoring the stakes. Social media exploded immediately after, with fan accounts sharing freeze-frames and slow-motion replays under hashtags like #VARRobbery, #ChelseaRobbed, and #CarabaoCupControversy. One viral clip highlighted an Arsenal handball where the arm seemed raised, drawing comparisons to past decisions that went Chelsea’s way (like the accidental handball penalty awarded against Crystal Palace earlier in the season) or against them in big games.
Adding fuel to the fire, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba—the iconic striker whose name is synonymous with clutch performances against Arsenal—broke his silence post-match. In statements picked up across platforms and interviews, he slammed the broader officiating system, calling for “serious accountability and reform at the very top.” Drogba questioned the consistency of handball and foul interpretations, arguing that VAR’s purpose in high-magnitude ties like this semi-final is precisely to correct obvious errors—yet it “stayed silent” again when Chelsea needed it most. His words echoed the growing fan sentiment: standards are slipping, big decisions feel inconsistent, and Chelsea seem to suffer disproportionately in these scenarios. “How do two strong penalty appeals get ignored? What exactly is VAR there for?” became rallying cries online, mirroring Drogba’s pointed critique.
Under IFAB and Premier League-aligned rules for the Carabao Cup semis (where VAR is mandatory), penalties should be awarded for deliberate handball, unnatural arm positions making the body bigger, or preventing promising attacks/goals—even if accidental in some cases. However, officials deemed neither incident met the “clear and obvious” threshold for overturning the on-field call. Defenders of the decisions noted close-range deflections or arm positions that could be argued as natural (e.g., in jumping or falling), but Chelsea partisans pointed to precedents where similar contacts earned spot-kicks.
This wasn’t Chelsea’s first brush with controversy this season—earlier handball awards in their favor (like vs. Palace) drew complaints from opponents about overzealous VAR. The pattern has bred deep cynicism among Blues supporters, who see a recurring theme in tight, high-profile matches. Clips of the two ignored shouts circulated rapidly, fueling heated debates on X, Reddit, and fan forums. Pundits split: some called it harsh but correct non-calls, others labeled it another example of VAR failing to deliver consistency.
As Arsenal advance (potentially to the final), the fallout lingers for Chelsea. The exits from cup competitions sting, especially when perceived officiating plays a role. Pressure mounts on the PGMOL and authorities for explanations, transparency, and reforms to rebuild trust. For now, though, it’s another painful chapter for Chelsea fans—one where moments like these decide silverware, and once again, they feel hard done by. The debates rage on, and this story shows no signs of fading quickly.
