Football fans, are you seeing double? VAR strikes again, denying Fulham a crucial goal against Chelsea, but it’s the echo of a notorious Man Utd penalty from years ago that has everyone talking. The lack of consistency is baffling. What’s your take on these game-changing calls?

The contentious role of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in modern football has once again ignited widespread debate, casting a shadow over a recent Premier League clash where Fulham was denied a crucial opening goal against Chelsea. This latest incident has brought the system’s consistency, or rather its glaring lack thereof, under intense scrutiny, particularly when contrasted with a highly controversial Manchester United penalty decision from a few seasons prior. The recurring issues surrounding football officiating continue to frustrate fans and managers alike, underscoring a fundamental challenge in maintaining fairness in the sport.

During the intense second half of the Chelsea-Fulham encounter, Joshua King believed he had put the visitors ahead, sparking jubilant celebrations that were abruptly cut short. The VAR system intervened, ruling that Rodrigo Muniz had committed a foul on Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah while attempting to turn near the halfway line. This contentious call nullified what many saw as a legitimate goal, shifting the momentum and ultimately impacting the match’s outcome, which saw Chelsea secure a 2-0 victory.

Referee Jones, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor at Stamford Bridge, explained his decision, stating that “the Fulham number nine commits a careless challenge, stands on the foot of the Chelsea defender, therefore we disallow the goal and we restart with a Chelsea free-kick.” This justification, however, failed to appease many observers who questioned the severity of the contact and whether it genuinely warranted the disallowance of a goal, especially given the historical context of similar fouls.

The heart of the current uproar lies in the striking parallels drawn to a highly debated Manchester United penalty awarded in 2020. In that instance, Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United midfielder, was deemed to have been fouled by Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. Fernandes, in possession, attempted a double drag-back move, and his boot made contact with Konsa’s shin as he went down, leading to a penalty for Manchester United despite the questionable nature of the contact.

The stark inconsistency between these two decisions is what has fueled much of the public’s outrage and concern regarding Premier League officiating. Five years ago, the player in possession (Fernandes) was awarded a penalty for similar contact; now, Muniz, also in possession, is penalised, leading to a disallowed goal. This creates a significant precedent issue for football officiating, as it appears the same type of challenge can yield vastly different outcomes depending on the match and possibly the teams involved, undermining confidence in the system.

Fulham manager Marco Silva was visibly stunned and profoundly frustrated by the VAR decision. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Silva expressed his disbelief, stating, “For me it’s unbelievable, really and of course… you can talk about many things, I would prefer to say nothing more because I will be punished.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among managers who feel helpless in the face of what they perceive as arbitrary and inconsistent VAR interventions.

Rewind to the 2020 Manchester United incident, and then-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith was equally furious about the penalty awarded against his side. Referee Jon Moss initially gave the spot-kick, a decision upheld by VAR official Graham Scott. Smith famously lashed out, saying: “I can understand Jon (Moss, referee) getting it wrong but I don’t know what VAR are looking at – it’s a disgraceful decision. They have a screen they can go and look at it but they don’t seem to be bothered. Fernandes is trying a double drag back – his first touch is on the ball his second touch is on Ezri Konsa’s shin. I won’t tell you what I think…” These powerful reactions from both managers underscore the deep-seated issues and the emotional toll that inconsistent football officiating takes on those involved in the Premier League.