CONTE: VAR SYSTEM MUST BE IMPROVED
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says that the video assistant referee system must be improved after his side’s controversial penalty shootout win over Norwich in last night’s FA Cup third-round replay.
Chelsea prevailed 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to clinch a home fourth-round clash with Newcastle.
But they finished the match with nine men having had three players booked for simulation, with Pedro and Alvaro Morata subsequently receiving second yellow cards,
Morata for his furious response to being booked.
The decision to book Willian provoked the most controversy as he was clearly clipped by Timm Klose, but there was no apparent referral to the VAR, with referee Graham Scott appearing to rule that the Brazilian was already on his way down when the contact occurred.
Conte said: “I think that we need to improve if you want to use this new system.
“In this game there is a situation very clear, the situation is with Willian at the start of the first half of extratime.
“I think the situation was very clear. I watched and this is a penalty, very clear.
“This is not because I’m not happy for a referee decision. The referee took quickly a decision to book Willian.
“It means you don’t have doubts. If you do this quickly it means you don’t have doubt.
“Instead, if you want to improve, it’s only to try to improve this new system. You have to wait, to check with the person watching the game. Then if this person is sure 100 per cent then ‘OK, this is simulation, book him’. Then book Willian.
“At least you must have a doubt because there is a kick to Willian. In this case you have to call the referee and to say there is a doubt.” Eden Hazard struck the decisive penalty after Jamal Lewis’ goal in stoppage time cancelled out Michy Batshuayi’s effort to force extratime. On the VAR controversy, Alan Shearer branded the VAR system “a shambles” while his fellow BBC pundits agreed it should have been a spot-kick.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke hailed his side’s impressive performance.
“Chelsea had a strong squad and were really focused,” said the German.
“We struggled in the first 20 minutes a bit, but we improved our game so much after that and we were on the same level as Chelsea.
“It was a brilliant performance and we were so close to a win and I can only praise the lads for this performance, and this togetherness and their attitude. I’m proud of the lads.”
Swansea City progressed to a fourth round trip to Notts County by beating Wolves 2-1, thanks to Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Bony, netting either side of Diogo Jota’s strike.
Swans manager Carlos Carvalhal said: “In the five games I’ve been in charge, we’ve won two, drawn two and lost one. This was the best match we’ve played, especially in the first half and we posed Wolves lots of problems. I’m proud of my players and now we are building confidence and momentum.”