Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino risks fine after post-match rant at ‘unbelievable and ridiculous’ referee vs Aston Villa

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino blasts VAR decision following the 2-2 draw vs Aston Villa

Mauricio Pochettino’s frustration with the referee and VAR system after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa could potentially land him in hot water with a match ban or fine. The Argentine manager expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, highlighting concerns about the poor utilization of VAR and its detrimental impact on the Premier League.

The match saw Chelsea facing the prospect of another disappointing defeat as Aston Villa took an early lead in the fourth minute, followed by a second goal from Morgan Rogers before halftime. However, Chelsea rallied in the second half, with Noni Madueke pulling one back with a well-placed shot into the bottom left corner.

Conor Gallagher completed Chelsea’s comeback with a remarkable goal into the top corner, levelling the score. The Blues continued to press for a winning goal and appeared to have secured it when Axel Disasi found the net. However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to a perceived foul by Disasi on Diego Carlos in the build-up.

And this didn’t sit right with Pochettino, who blasted Var and blamed them for damaging the league with their poor decision, Speaking to TNT (h/t National news), he said:

“It is painful as it has damaged English football. Villa’s players and their fans didn’t understand why the goal was disallowed. For me, it damaged the Premier League a little bit. If we want to be the best league in the world, it should be protecting the spectacle and the decision.”

Pochettino’s frustration with the officiating and VAR decisions is certainly understandable, as these calls can have significant implications for the team. However, his remarks could potentially lead to disciplinary action from the league, such as a fine or suspension.

While it’s important for managers to express their concerns about VAR decisions, they must do so within the confines of the league’s regulations. Other managers who have criticized VAR in the past have faced sanctions from the league, highlighting the need for caution when discussing officiating decisions in public. But then, it does little to improve the transparency and rather gives the officials a protective barrier to hide behind without any consequences for their incompetency.

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It’s not just Pochettino who expressed dissatisfaction with the decisions; the players also demonstrated their frustration after the final whistle. This collective response underscores the significance of the officiating decisions in the game and highlights the need for consistency and fairness in refereeing.