Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta calls for referees to use VAR monitors after penalty decision
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has implored Premier League referees to make more regular use of touchline monitors, after he was denied a penalty in the Blues’ 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
In a drab affair, the Blues might’ve had the chance to take the lead from the spot when United skipper Harry Maguire wrestled his counterpart to the ground at a first-half set piece, but referee Martin Atkinson waved the appeals away.
The decision was reviewed by VAR, who upheld the on-field decision, but Azpilicueta questioned why Atkinson himself wasn’t summoned for a second look.
“On the pitch I felt yes [it was a penalty] because I was in front of him and I felt both of his arms around my neck and my shoulders,” he told Sky Sports.
“For me, the referee can make the decision and the VAR is there. It’s very difficult, sometimes, for the VAR to say yes or no but I encourage the referee to go to the monitor. Tonight, Martin Atkinson was the main referee so he has to take the main decision and the monitor is there on the side for him to help.
“Sometimes it’s 50-50, like I felt it was, so why not take 20 seconds to review it? It’s a little improvement to the VAR that I think can improve a lot moving forwards.”
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