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Premier League referee doesn’t make the big decisions and uses VAR as backup, claims former top ref Mark Halsey

Chelsea players and Pochettino made their feelings known at the end of the match

CHELSEA felt aggrieved when Axel Disasi’s stoppage-time winner was disallowed in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

But I was baffled why VAR got involved because it wasn’t a clear and obvious error.

Craig Pawson has relied on the VAR at times this season
Craig Pawson has relied on the VAR at times this season

Referee Craig Pawson had a great view of the incident, he was looking directly at both players and allowed play to continue.

If Pawson thought it was a foul by Disasi on Diego Carlos then why didn’t he award a free-kick straight away? I felt it was a foul but Pawson had to give it in real time and then there wouldn’t have been a fuss afterwards.

My big problem with this incident is it’s a classic case of technology re-refereeing a game and not what VAR is there for.

VAR official Chris Kavanagh recommended an on-field review and Pawson changed his mind.

I’ve watched Pawson for a long time and he does not seem to make the big decisions and uses VAR as a back-up.

Although we got the right decision, the process of how we got there is not how we should be operating VAR in the Premier League.

Chelsea stars protested madly at the end of their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and had to be pushed away from Pawson by the Blues coaching staff.

Badiashile and Madueke were fuming with the referee and linesmen following the final whistle and had to be restrained by coaches.

Madueke was evidently still fuming with the decision when probed by the BBC post-match.

He said: "Should it have been three points? Yes."

Mauricio Pochettino claims VAR has 'damaged' five things in scathing rant after ref changes mind over late Chelsea goal

Madueke, 22, added: "Do I think the goal should have stood? Yes. Nothing else to say about the situation."

Manager Mauricio Pochettino also bemoaned the intervention of VAR after the game, saying: "Well VAR changed the decision of the referee.

"That was for me a normal challenge that can happen in normal action.

"That damaged a little bit the Premier League and its image.

"It's damaged myself, damaged my team, damaged my players, my fans, damaged football."

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