Legends and fans blow up as star gets away with ‘choke hold’ midgame
Football legends and fans unloaded after a star got away with a move that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the wrestling ring.
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Chelsea fans were left up in arms on Sunday morning when they took on Manchester United.
As the two sides scrapped it out in the downpour at Old Trafford, one moment left those watching on seeing red.
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A Chelsea cross into the box in the first half was dealt with by Man United, but the replays showed it should have resulted in a penalty.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire wrestled with Cesar Azpilicueta and effectively put him in a choke hold as the Chelsea star hit the deck.
Former Man United defender Patrice Evra said the actions wouldn’t have looked out of place in the wrestling ring.
“I used to watch wrestling and he reminds me of Hulk Hogan. It’s a clear penalty and VAR, we can talk all day about it,” Evra said on Sky Sports.
Chelsea great Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink added: “This is 100 per cent a penalty. What is Maguire doing?
“If you see it from a different angle, he’s just strangling Azpilicueta here and stops him from jumping. He’s putting his weight on his shoulders.”
The legends weren’t alone in questioning how the action went unpunished and didn’t reward Chelsea with a deserved penalty as many once again laid into the controversial VAR system.
So... just to clarify:
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) October 24, 2020
VAR decided Harry Maguire’s choke hold on Cesar Azpilicueta wasn’t a penalty, but Fabinho winning a tackle outside the box was.
Doesn’t matter who you support, this system is not working 🤷ðŸ¼â€â™‚ï¸ #LFC #MUFC #CFC pic.twitter.com/6L5axhbLwD
Harry Maguire defending corners: pic.twitter.com/ygJVnx6mDW
— Alan McGuinness (@Alan_McGuinness) October 24, 2020
Can't believe Azpilicueta wasn't sent off for delivering a Stunner on Maguire. VAR is rubbish... pic.twitter.com/kQ4rPqWYim
— Adam McKola (@AdamMcKola) October 24, 2020
Just seen a full slow-mo of Maguire on Azpilicueta. pic.twitter.com/6FMJz7D6Xj
— Nic English (@nicwenglish) October 24, 2020
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard couldn’t believe his eyes and didn’t bite his tongue post-game when speaking about the incident that wasn’t looked at by the officials.
“Holding is allowed, but headlocks don’t go on. I don’t know why VAR didn’t take long and there’s also a monitor to look at. I think if the referee goes to the monitor he gives a penalty,”
The game ended up an 0-0 draw, but it was the Maguire moment that became the biggest talking point out of the contest between the two Premier League heavyweights.
“On the pitch I felt yes because I was in front of him and I felt his both arms around my neck and my shoulders,” Azpilicueta said after the game.
“The referee can make the decision. VAR is there. It is very difficult for the VAR to say yes or no but for me I encourage more for the referee to go to the monitor.
“Martin Atkinson is the main referee so he has to take the main decisions and the monitor is there on the side for him to help.
“Sometimes it is 50/50, I felt it was. So why not take 20 seconds to review it? It is a little improvement that will help VAR moving forward.”
Originally published as Legends and fans blow up as star gets away with ‘choke hold’ midgame