Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has voiced his concern on the use of the VAR and the impact of the technology in the Premier League, MySportDab reports.
Speaking after Chelsea drew 2-2 with Aston Villa in the Premier League at Villa Park, the former PSG, Southampton, and Tottenham manager did not mince words as he claimed that VAR has damaged English football.
Pochettino’s claims followed a controversial decision by center referee Craig Pawson to disallow Axel Disasi’s 96th-minute winner in the Aston Villa match.
The Blues had fought back from two goals down in the first half to a 2-2 draw in the 81st minute.
Goals from Noni Madueke and Conor Gallagher saw the visitors restore parity with nine minutes left to play.
In the last touch of the game, Axel Disasi scored a possible late winner, heading home from close range.
However, the goal was chalked off after a lengthy VAR check claimed Benoit Badiashile had fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up.
Reacting to the decision, Mauricio Pochettino went furious right on the touchline and doubled down on his objections in post-match press conference.
Poch described the decision as ‘unbelievable’ and ‘ridiculous,’ adding VAR has ‘damaged English football.’
According to him, Benoit Badiashile’s challenge on Carlos was too insignificant to be taken as a foul.
”I don’t want to talk bad about the referee, but it is unbelievable, it’s ridiculous.
”It is really painful as it has damaged English football, the image, and even Aston Villa players and the fans didn’t understand why
“He (the referee) said it was a foul and if you see the challenge, it is a challenge. If every single challenge like this is a foul, we won’t finish with 11 players in any game,” Pochettino said.
Aston Villa sealed up a top-five finish following the draw with permutations showing that Manchester United are literally out of the race for Champions League football next season.
