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“We were completely cheated by ref, everyone knew that the handball [before Brighton’s second goal] is quite clear”- Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca slammed the referees for missing a ‘clear’ handball in the Blues’ 2-1 loss to Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticized the referees for overlooking a “clear” handball during his team’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
What Happened?
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Brighton, with goals from Georginio Rutter and Kaoru Mitoma canceling out an early own goal by Bart Verbruggen.
However, there has been controversy over the legality of Brighton’s winning goal in the 57th minute, as Tariq Lamptey appeared to handle the ball after his shot was blocked and deflected off his hand, leading to Mitoma’s decisive strike.
Maresca voiced his frustration, particularly regarding the absence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
What Maresca Said
In an interview with BBC Sport, Maresca explained: “We controlled the first half much better.
In the second half, the only shots they had led to a goal. I think the handball [before Brighton’s second goal] is quite clear. In the last few days, there have been several similar incidents in other games. Without VAR, it’s complicated.”
The Bigger Picture
VAR is not used in the FA Cup until the fifth round due to the lack of necessary technology in smaller stadiums and the requirement for additional officials at each match.
Maresca’s comments echo the controversy from other recent games, including Manchester United’s 93rd-minute winner against Leicester City, which was not flagged for offside despite Harry Maguire appearing to be behind the defensive line.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Maresca pointed out that Chelsea can now shift their focus to the Premier League and the Europa Conference League after their FA Cup exit.
He also discussed the upcoming Premier League clash against Brighton on Friday, February 14.
He added: “We tried to come here and play our football; we always aim to win, but we must accept the result. At 2-1, we had some chances, but now we can focus on the Premier League and the Conference League.
I don’t think this loss will impact our next match against Brighton on Friday. I’m confident it will be a completely different game with a different level of competition.”
