‘One of the WORST decisions we’ve seen from VAR’: Chelsea fans left outraged on social media as Tottenham’s Matt Doherty escapes a red card for ‘disgusting’ challenge on Malang Sarr
- Chelsea fans left outraged after Matt Doherty’s dangerous challenge on Sunday
- Irishman dragged studs down the side of Malang Sarr’s ankle at Stamford Bridge
- Referee Paul Tierney and VAR officials allowed Doherty to go unpunished
- Chelsea hosted Tottenham in a top-four grudge match on Sunday afternoon
Chelsea fans have been outraged following Matt Doherty’s ‘disgusting’ challenge on Malang Sarr, as the Blues hosted Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
The Irish full-back dragged his studs down the ankle of Chelsea’s French centre-back in the first-half of the game, leaving Blues fans bemused as Doherty escaped a red card.
It was in the 18th minute when Doherty set off in pursuit of Sarr, before controversially scraping the underside of his boot against the leg of the 23-year-old.
Matt Doherty (left) was the centre of attention following challenge on Malang Sarr on Sunday
Despite the challenge being met with a chorus of boos from the Stamford Bridge crowd, Paul Tierney and Stockley Park officials somehow decided the challenge did not warrant a red.
Doherty was able to escape a booking from Tierney, and play continued once Sarr had received ample treatment from the medical team.
Blues fans have taken to social media to relay their astonshiment at the decision, with one user claiming ‘it’s one of the worst decisions we have seen from VAR in a long time’.
Chelsea’s Malang Sarr had to receive on field treatment from the medical team after challenge
One fan claimed that ‘Sarr is lucky to not have his ankle broken there’ following the high challenge on the Frenchman.
Another Twitter user judged that ‘It’s late and with intent, and a CLEAR red card.’
This is the not the only instance of VAR being under criticism from this weekend, with Liverpool’s penalty against Crystal Palace also coming under scrutiny.
Former Spurs player Jermaine Jenas gave his opinion on the penalty for Jurgen Klopp’s side, saying it was ‘Another absolute shocker from VAR, our standard of refereeing is so bad’.
Tottenham’s Doherty escaped a red card despite boos from the crowd at Stamford Bridge