Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory (4-2 on aggregate), advancing to the final, but Chelsea fans have been left furious over perceived officiating errors that they believe cost their team dearly.
Referee Peter Bankes officiated the match, with VAR support in place. The game was tense and physical, featuring several flashpoints that drew scrutiny. One prominent incident involved a challenge on Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli by Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah. Arsenal appealed for a penalty, but Bankes waved it away on the field, and VAR reviewed and upheld the decision—no penalty was awarded. Pundits like Gary Neville noted that Chalobah “took a risk” with the tackle, but the call stood.
Another key area of debate centered on a potential handball by Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana (or similar claims in fan discussions), where a ball appeared to strike an arm during a set-piece or defensive action, potentially preventing a goal-bound opportunity for Arsenal. Some reports and fan analyses suggested this was a “clear and obvious” handball that should have led to a penalty, but neither Bankes nor VAR intervened. Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett and other analysts reviewed footage and defended some non-interventions, such as a possible arm extension in a challenge, stating VAR was correct not to step in for certain subjective calls.
There are also mentions in fan circles and social media of inconsistencies in red card decisions. Peter Bankes has a history with Chelsea this season, having sent off players like goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella in prior matches. In this game, no red cards were issued despite some reckless challenges that Chelsea supporters argued warranted harsher punishment (e.g., high boots or dangerous tackles). Conversely, some Chelsea fans pointed to leniency toward Arsenal players in similar situations, fueling accusations of bias.
Despite widespread fan outrage—especially from Chelsea supporters questioning VAR’s purpose (“How does VAR see this and still get it wrong? What is the point if clear decisions are ignored? Why do these errors keep happening in big matches?”)—there is no official admission from PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) or the Carabao Cup/EFL of a “major VAR mistake” or red card failure in this specific match. PGMOL chief Howard Webb has addressed similar controversies in the past (including in other games involving handballs or penalties), sometimes admitting errors in post-match reviews or “Mic’d Up” segments. However, for this Arsenal-Chelsea clash, reports of an outright admission appear to stem from fan speculation, YouTube videos, and social media posts rather than verified statements from PGMOL.
Some sources mention Howard Webb or officials “criticizing” decisions or acknowledging potential issues post-match, but these are often framed as opinions or unofficial leaks rather than formal concessions. For instance, ex-referees have praised certain calls as “terrific” while critiquing others, but no widespread “admission of a clear red card mistake” or VAR overhaul demand has been confirmed by official channels.
The incident footage has indeed circulated widely online, amplifying debates about refereeing competence, consistency, and accountability in high-stakes games. Chelsea’s elimination has intensified calls for better VAR application, echoing long-standing criticisms of the technology since its introduction. Fans argue that VAR was meant to eliminate glaring errors, yet big matches continue to feature contentious moments that swing outcomes.
Arsenal progressed and will face either Manchester City or Newcastle in the final, while Chelsea’s focus shifts back to the Premier League and other competitions. The fallout highlights ongoing issues in English football officiating: pressure on officials in derbies, subjective interpretations of handball/red card rules, and the fine line between intervention and overreach. Whether this leads to any formal PGMOL review or changes remains to be seen, but the anger among Blues supporters is palpable and unlikely to fade quickly.
This controversy adds to a pattern of VAR debates in recent seasons, where errors—real or perceived—continue to frustrate fans and raise questions about the system’s effectiveness in delivering justice in crucial ties.
