Stamford Bridge, London – Make we yan about the drama wey happen between Chelsea and Arsenal wey involve VAR wahala. Enzo Maresca, Chelsea boss, no gree hide im frustration after Moises Caicedo collect red card for im foul on Mikel Merino. This one no be surprise, because the way ref dem dey judge foul lately don dey get plenty people vex.
Last month, for Tottenham match, Rodrigo Bentancur collect yellow card for foul on Reece James, and VAR no fit see am as red despite the tackle wey similar to Caicedo own. Maresca dey wonder why Bentancur no see red when e do the foul, but Caicedo come turn victim. “Why dem go judge am like this?” Na the question wey Maresca go dey ask until e tire (he really dey crack head over this one!).
Auction of foul dey get plenty different levels. Bentancur only step in, while Caicedo jarrah jump go high plus the way wey Merino ankle buckle make am look like serious foul. VAR dey look all dis details for what dem dey call excessive force. But sha, KMI Panel go still back yellow for Bentancur. Na wetin we call mixed signals, abi na brain confusion?
As if na wahala no enough, the way VAR dey operate wan confuse person sharp- sharply. Referee Anthony Taylor initially allow advantage for Arsenal, only to come back later to show Caicedo yellow card when e don need treatment. This delay no be because VAR dey check mata; na simply because Caicedo dey with physio. And wey VAR start to check, na only when Taylor show yellow, the VAR jump go studio to scream, ‘Omo, this don pass yellow!’ Na why Arsenal come dey hot seat because Taylor make that decision late, and dem go suffer for one criminal tackle.
For another matter during the same match, referee Chris Kavanagh no gree show red card after checking pitchside monitor. E say Jhon Arias tackle no be foul. Meanwhile, some other dodgy tackles wey happen before, dem just dey shrug. Like that time Lisandro Martinez wey escape red after another horrible challenge last season. Na wah, if dem no fit get this one correct, how dem wan correct anything?
As if na so e go end, dem get another drama wey dey unfold. For Chelsea goal, Trevoh Chalobah score from corner, but Enzo Fernandez dey stand for offside position. Na wetin we go call another case for inconsistency. Dem no see need to check am, but if na for dodgy decision, dem go dey quick to pull trigger. No be today we don dey see that one, e fit make person turn table!
Maresca talk say him dey appreciate how im boys play, even after Caicedo go miss next matches. E vex sey Arsenal no carry their advantage well when dem dey play with extra man. Mikel Arteta sef admit say dem not even manage to settle the game after all the drama. Sometimes, e get as e be for pitch, wey decisions dey change game balance.
So as we dey look forward to next matches, make we dey keep eye on how VAR dey play im own game. Na serious wahala wey no fit just be small talk after all. Grab your drink, na football season we dey!
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