Chelsea VAR controversy: Referee should have been told to watch video - Antonio Conte
Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says the video assistant referee (VAR) system let his team down after Willian's penalty appeal was rejected during the FA Cup win over Norwich.
The system was being trialled for the FA Cup third-round replay.
Conte felt referee Graham Scott should have been told by the video official to watch a replay of Timm Klose's tackle on Willian, who was booked for diving.
"If you watch the replay you see very clearly it is a penalty," Conte said.
- How does VAR work?
- Football Daily podcast: Nine-man Chelsea pushed to penalties after VAR controversy
Video referees have the choice of telling the match official he has made a clear and obvious error, which in this instance Mike Jones, in a studio in London, did not feel was the case.
Had he ruled differently, Scott could have overturned the decision based on his word - or watched it on a screen himself.
Chelsea forwards Pedro and Alvaro Morata were sent off during extra time - before the Blues won on penalties - with both players being shown a first yellow card for diving.
But Willian's booking was the most controversial moment.
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.
'We can improve it' - what the managers said
Conte: "I think that there was a penalty - but not on Morata, on Willian.
"With Willian, the referee heard what the other referee watched and decided to continue to play. If we want to try to use this new system, it is important for the referee to wait, especially in this incident that is not so clear.
"And then when the referee that is watching had a doubt, he has to call the referee to watch and he can make a decision. The referee on the pitch has to make the decision, not one off the pitch.
"We can improve it for sure but we need to try to take the best solution. The final decision is for the ref on the pitch. Otherwise, why is there this ref?
"The mistake wasn't of the ref on the pitch but the person watching. When you see this, you have to call the referee.
"And if you don't want to make a decision and you have a doubt, you need to call to the ref to watch the footage and make the decision."
Norwich manager Daniel Farke: "I don't want to criticise the referees because they were on the other side to the incident and they were some really tough decisions to make.
"There are mistakes in football - players make them, managers make them, and referees make them. It is how it is."
'Shambles' - what BBC pundits said
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer: "You saw VAR work perfectly well last night [in the Leicester v Fleetwood tie] but you've seen now why I was so doubtful because now it is a shambles.
"We all think it is a clear and obvious penalty - and to make it worse, the referee books Willian for diving. Who on earth is looking at that screen and doesn't think it is a penalty? That is why it is all wrong because it is someone else's opinion.
"The referee got the one right in the second half with Pedro, but you have another ref looking at the Willian one on a TV screen, slowed down. Shambles."
Former Aston Villa and England striker Dion Dublin: "It is a shocking decision. I don't know how he has got it wrong. They are watching the same replays as us and it is clearly and obviously a penalty."
Phil Neville, former Manchester United and England defender, on BBC Radio 5 live: "I'm confused. I am not a fan. I like the English game as it is, with talking points.
"Referees get decisions right and get some wrong. That is football. If it wasn't for VAR tonight, we'd be talking about it maybe being a penalty.
"Now we'll be talking about it for the next two days because of VAR."
'People just like to complain' - your thoughts
Chris Mertens: "All this complaining about VAR - look at cricket: 'umpire's call'. Surely that Willian 'pen' falls into that bracket. Probably is a penalty, but not given on field so go with the ref. Here to support officials not overrule every marginal call.
Tom: "Before VAR came in, people complained that it would take the drama out of football. Now that it's here people are complaining that its not good enough at clearing things up. People just like to complain."
Garry Jones: "What is the point of VAR if it's not going to be used properly?"
Chris Faz: Earlier VAR confirms that a corner was the correct decision but when it comes to a penalty shout they decide not to use it. Brilliant.
Comments
Join the conversation
We know Phil. You are certainly not a full shilling...
Chelsea are an odious little club and deserve nothing.
We came to the conclusion that at the questionable moment the defender went for the ball and missed , while willian tryed to clear the outstretched leg and lossed his own footing , IF there was a slight contact it still wasnt enough to overide willians own loss of footing at that speed and angle.
= No penalty or card
Wasn't a penalty, Willian was already going down, looking for contact. Simulation. I hate this idea that if there is contact you are entitled to go down. You can't just trail a leg behind you.
Agree totally.
Willian was committed to the dive before contact was made. he did the "keep the trailing leg low to ensure contact" ploy. Jenas seemed to be implying it was a pen because the defender had the temerity to make a challenge even though no foul. Ridiculous.
The ref got it spot on and after the replays which make it fairly obvious I'm surprised by all the fuss.
This should have been done years ago then, Wenger, Mourinho, Conte etc, would have won far less.
I think MOD is a shambles I watch football on iplayer and cut out all the expert analysis.