VAR audio emerges after Chelsea vs Leeds handball controversy

This was where VAR official John Brooks, along with the referee on the pitch, sided with letting the goal stand.

In audio shared by ‘Match Officials Mic’d Up’, Robert Jones said: “It doesn’t feel deliberate, John (Brooks, VAR), but obviously sweep it up.”

Brooks then responded: “The ball is bouncing. He tries to get his arm out of the way in my opinion. It flicks his elbow. It’s not a deliberate handball.”

Simon Bennett – assistant VAR – agreed, and Brooks finalised things by saying: “Rob, confirming the on-field decision of goal, check complete. The ball does flick the arm of the Leeds player in the APP (attacking phase of play) but it is an accidental handball and he is not the goalscorer.”

The result might have been forgotten if Cole Palmer had not missed from close range late on.

Chelsea have not been getting refereeing decisions this season

No club has more red cards than Chelsea this season, and those dismissals have cost them points along the way.

Earlier in the campaign against Brentford, Mark Clattenburg argued that VAR should have stepped in when a player involved from an offside position helped the Bees set up their equaliser.

A win there would have put Chelsea top of the table at that point in time, and it is clear now that dealing with long throws has become a recurring problem for them.

Hoping to avoid any refereeing controversy, they will travel to the Emirates on Sunday. Their most recent league game against Arsenal was overshadowed by Moises Caicedo’s red card.