VAR Catches a Dive by Callum Hudson-Odoi During Chelsea’s Premier League Clash

Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi got into a spot of trouble for diving against Burnley. Initially, Chelsea were awarded a penalty, but a VAR review resulted in the penalty going the other way.

The Clarets were beaten by Chelsea despite late goals from Jay Rodriguez and Dwight McNeil. The Blues eventually won 4-2, courtesy a hat-trick for Christian Pulisic.

Sean Dyche’s men were infuriated when the referee awarded a penalty to Chelsea, with the score at 4-0, for a foul on Hudson-Odoi.

However, VAR overturned the official and the 18-year-old was then booked for diving, to the dismay of Frank Lampard.

Whilst replays showed there was no contact from James Tarkowski, there was contact on Hudson-Odoi’s back from Matt Lowton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqlMHspI5w

As a result, Redknapp and Sinclair didn’t think the Chelsea youngster dived.

“It’s so difficult. When I watched, I’m looking has he been tripped? Has someone stood on his foot?” Redknapp told Sky Sports after the game.

“You tend to forget there could be a push, Matt Lowton just goes into his back and there is a little push, he takes the fall.

“Is it enough to go down like that? Possible not but there is definitely contact. You can’t say there isn’t any contact, his hands definitely go into his back.

“The problem with VAR is everyone goes and we’re going to get the answer now and it will definitive. It’s still only a matter of opinion. It’s one person’s feeling over another, it’s not a matter of fact, is it over the line or not? It’s just a matter of opinion so you’re not always going to get it right.

“There is not a lot of contact but I have seen them given for a lot less contact given than that.”

Sinclair added: “They certainly do, you can see what Callum is complaining at.

“For me, I still think he’s waiting for a foot to be stuck out and he’ll trip over that. The foot doesn’t come out so he ends up going over fresh air really. That’s why VAR changes it.

“I think if the referee gives it the penalty then you stick with it because the bar has been set so high.

“I suppose from a Burnley perspective if it goes against you, you’re thinking ‘that’s a very cheap penalty’ but at the same time you can see where Callum Hudson-Odoi is complaining about a push.”