‘It has damaged English football’ – Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino says VAR has badly affected English game
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino (third right) instructs his players away from referee Craig Pawson after the final whistle
Mauricio Pochettino says VAR has "damaged English football" after seeing a late Chelsea goal ruled out against Aston Villa.
The Blues looked to be ending a horror week in style when Axel Disasi's header in the fourth minute of time added on crashed in off the crossbar to secure a 3-2 win, having trailed 2-0 at half-time.
But Benoit Badiashile was ruled to have fouled Diego Carlos in the build-up and the goal was ruled out after VAR recommended an on-pitch review from the referee.
Pochettino told TNT Sports: "Everyone that was watching the game will feel disappointed.
"Two different things the referee said it was a foul and disallowed the goal and then going to the VAR to confirm.
"The referee is unbelievable and it's ridiculous. It is difficult to accept, these type of things in the semi-final [FA Cup against Man City] two weeks ago, it was handball and it was no penalty, the referee he didn't check it.
"It is painful as it has damaged English football and I think Villa players and their fans didn't understand why the goal was disallowed.
"They said it was foul and if you see the challenge what happened if we go into every single challenge like this it is going to be a foul and we wouldn't finish the game with 11 [players].
"We can talk about the performance or the decision – it is damaging the game."
