VAR officials admit Giovani Lo Celso mistake during red card check at Chelsea v Spurs

VAR officials admitted Giovani Lo Celso should have been sent off for a challenge the Tottenham midfielder escaped a red card for against Chelsea.

Early in the second half, Lo Celso’s studs planted into the leg of Cesar Azpilicueta, leading to a lengthy VAR check. Eventually the tackle was deemed unworthy of a dismissal and Lo Celso stayed on.

It was certainly a contentious call. The contact was arguably accidental as Lo Celso was trying to turn on the ball before unintentionally treading on Azpilcueta’s leg.

But remarkably, with minutes to go at Stamford Bridge, BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher revealed he had been informed that Stockley Park admitted to making an error.

Fletcher claimed the VAR officials reviewed the incident again and suggested Lo Celso should, indeed, have been sent off.

BREAKING: We have been speaking to Stockley Park who have admitted they got the decision wrong and Lo Celso should have been sent off… @btsport

— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) February 22, 2020

It’s a bizarre situation. For one thing, VAR must have watched the replay 20 times before making their initial call. Cynics of the technology have now been given more ammo for their argument that VAR is doing more harm than good.