The Premier League issued statements after VAR reviewed a Fulham goal against Chelsea, with it eventually disallowed, then helped award Chelsea a hugely controversial penalty
14:17, 30 Aug 2025Updated 14:18, 30 Aug 2025
Referee Robert Jones announced two hugely controversial decisions with the help of VAR when Chelsea faced Fulham
Referee Robert Jones announced two hugely controversial decisions with the help of VAR when Chelsea faced Fulham(Image: TNT Sports)
A "careless challenge" was the reason given by referee Robert Jones for disallowing Fulham's opening goal against Chelsea as VAR intervened in two hugely controversial incidents.
Josh King believed he had put Fulham ahead with a well-executed shot during a counterattack in the first half of the game at Stamford Bridge. However, the goal was ruled out due to an alleged foul on Trevoh Chalobah by Rodrigo Muniz, much to the disappointment of the visiting team, before Chelsea - minus injured star man Cole Palmer - later took the lead in the game.
The Premier League issued a statement saying: "22' VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Fulham." Referee Jones explained his decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR screens, stating: "After review, the Fulham 9 commits a careless challenge and stamps on the foot of the Chelsea 23. Therefore we disallowed the goal and restart with a Chelsea free kick."
Fans were divided over the decision, with many expressing their views on X, reports the Mirror. One supporter commented: "Game's actually gone. How is this a 'Careless challenge ' by Muniz? Every single week PGMOL is ruining our beautiful game."
Another fan chimed in with: '"Careless challenge, game's gone," while another added: "Shocking decision! The ref said it was careless. They're ruining football."
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Yet another disgruntled fan posted: "Fulham's disallowed goal is absolutely ridiculous. I thought this season they were judging fouls more strict to be 'clear and obvious' Soon we're gonna be playing non-contact football."
The criticism continued to pour in following the decision, with another supporter stating: "Absolutely wrong. Muniz is in full control of the ball, where is he supposed to put his foot? If we start giving fouls for small contact like this one then what is the whole actually playing a contact sport."
However, this proved irrelevant for the home side as they grabbed the lead just moments before half-time - Joao Pedro finding the net for Chelsea. Marco Silva was left seething, believing the additional time had already run out, before he was left fuming once again by another controversial incident in the second half.
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Chelsea players screamed for a penalty in the 50th minute as Ryan Sessegnon blocked Chalobah's cross with his arm. Replays showed Pedro had also seemingly committed a foul with a handball in the build-up.
But that was ignored by the referee who awarded a penalty and Enzo Fernandez blasted the ball down the middle from the spot to double Chelsea's lead.
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The Premier League statement this time read: "#CHEFUL – 50’ VAR OVERTURN - After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Chelsea. Referee announcement: "After review, Fulham 30 [Sessegnon] makes his body unnaturally bigger by blocking a cross, with his arms extended away from his body. Therefore my final decision is penalty kick."
One fan raged: "Another mess by VAR. I mean this game is unwatchable now. What a mess. If that's a handball then why isn't Pedro's before it?"