Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has launched a furious tirade against VAR and Premier League officiating after officials admitted to multiple serious errors during Chelsea’s controversial 1-1 draw against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on February 21, 2026.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his social media channels and echoed during an appearance on a major football broadcast, the former Blues striker did not hold back. “Enough is enough,” Drogba wrote. “How many times do we have to see admitted mistakes that cost us points, cost us momentum, cost us the game? VAR was brought in to fix problems, not create them. These officials admitted errors that directly changed the result—yet the points stay with Burnley? This is not justice. This is unacceptable.”
Drogba specifically highlighted three key incidents that officials later conceded were mishandled:
- The non-penalty awarded to Cole Palmer in the second half after a clear challenge by Joe Worrall inside the box, which replays showed involved reckless contact.
- The disputed application of the eight-second goalkeeper rule in the seventh minute, where no countdown was shown despite the new IFAB guideline, leading to a corner for Burnley.
- The separate handball oversight on João Pedro’s fourth-minute opener, which was acknowledged post-match as incorrectly allowed to stand.
He continued: “We are talking about multiple admissions in one game. Multiple. And still, nothing changes? Chelsea fought with ten men after Wesley Fofana’s red card, held on until the 93rd minute, and then lost two points because of decisions that were wrong. Players, managers, fans—we all see it. When will someone take responsibility? When will the system actually work?”
The outburst has ignited widespread debate among Chelsea supporters, who have long voiced frustration over perceived inconsistencies in officiating this season—particularly in home matches where the Blues have dropped points from winning positions more than any other top-half side. Social media has been flooded with clips of Drogba’s comments, with fans praising him for voicing what many feel: “Drogba saying what we all think—VAR is broken,” and “Legends like him need to keep the pressure on.”
Drogba’s anger comes amid escalating scrutiny on PGMOL and refereeing chief Howard Webb, who ordered a full internal review into the match immediately after the final whistle. The admission of errors has also fueled Chelsea’s formal demand for retrospective awarding of three points, a request that has divided opinion across the league. While some argue it would set a dangerous precedent, others—including several pundits—believe the cumulative impact of the mistakes justifies exceptional action.
Burnley, who equalized late through Zian Flemming after Chelsea were reduced to ten men, have remained silent on the admissions but are expected to resist any points reversal strongly.
Drogba concluded his statement with a direct challenge: “Football is about passion, fairness, and respect. Right now, too many are losing faith in the system. Chelsea deserve better. The Premier League deserves better. Fix it—before it’s too late.”
The former striker’s explosive reaction has amplified the ongoing controversy, ensuring the Stamford Bridge stalemate remains one of the most talked-about matches of the season. With Chelsea still pushing for a top-four finish, the pressure on authorities to address VAR reliability and consistency has reached new heights.
