Neil Warnock has blasted match officials after Cardiff City’s valiant effort went in vain following their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
The relegation strugglers were on the course to register a famous win over the Blues after a Victor Camarasa volley stunned the visitors. But the Blues made a late comeback to deny the Bluebirds a precious three points.
Cesar Azpilicueta headed home in the 84th minute and Ruben Loftus-Cheek netted the winner in the added minutes to reduce the pressure on Maurizio Sarri. But the Chelsea captain was way offside as TV replay later suggested.
The incident once again underlined the need for VAR in the Premier League. With Cardiff’s fate hanging over a thread this mistake could prove to be costly for the Wales side.
Warnock said, “We were let down by the officials – roll on VAR
“I might be too old by the time we get it, but that’s why we need it.
“It’s the best league in the world with probably the worst officials at the minute. I don’t know what Mike Riley does with his linesman, but he’ll probably get a game next week. They don’t understand what’s at stake.
“The offside [for Azpilicueta’s goal] is not even close. We’ve worked three weeks for this, and we get let down by decisions.
“We felt that (Sean) Morrison could’ve easily had a penalty in the first half and he could quite easily have had one in the second.
“All the hard work over the last three weeks, and it’s none of our faults that an official can’t look across the line. It’s the most obviously offside I’ve ever seen. You just can’t believe it.
“Is it me? Is it payback time for me over the many years? Are they thinking, ‘let’s get him out of the way?’ I honestly don’t know.”
