Antonio Conte Criticises VAR After Willian Booked for Diving in Win over Norwich

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes referee Graham Scott, who officiated the Blues' 5-3 penalty-shootout win over Norwich City on Wednesday, should have been contacted by the video assistant referee before booking Willian for diving. 

Pedro and Alvaro Morata were both cautioned for diving during the game, which ended 1-1 in normal time after Jamal Lewis' dramatic late equaliser cancelled out Michy Batshuayi's opener, and the pair were subsequently sent off for picking up second yellows in extra time.

It was the incident with Willian at the start of extra time that attracted Conte's attention, though. Per BBC Sport, the Italian believes Timm Klose's challenge on the Brazil international warranted a penalty rather than a yellow card. He said:

"With Willian, the referee heard what the other referee watched and decided to continue to play. If we want to try to use this new system, it is important for the referee to wait, especially in this incident that is not so clear.

"And then when the referee that is watching had a doubt, he has to call the referee to watch and he can make a decision. The referee on the pitch has to make the decision, not one off the pitch.

"We can improve it for sure but we need to try to take the best solution. The final decision is for the ref on the pitch. Otherwise, why is there this ref?"

The manager believes the system of two referees can be effective, though, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

Mike Jones, the video referee who was watching the game from a studio, chose not to exercise his option to contact Scott regarding Willian, which he can do if he believes the referee has made a "clear and obvious error."

If he had, Scott would have had the option of deferring to Jones and overturning the decision or consulting the footage himself pitchside.

ITV Sport commentator Sam Matterface believed the decision not to award a penalty was correct, while the player responsible, Klose, admitted it should have been a spot-kick, per broadcaster Ian Abrahams:

That there has been such a debate over the incident perhaps demonstrates why the decision was not deemed a "clear and obvious" error.

The Independent's Miguel Delaney explained why VAR was not used in this instance:

As Delaney also noted, the system is still undergoing a trial period with the aim of refining and improving it ahead of more widespread use throughout English football, having thus far been contained to the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

Teething problems are therefore to be expected as officials grow accustomed to using it, while a number of supporters, players and managers alike have perhaps been left in the dark as to when and how it will be used during the course of a match.

There's plenty to be gained from implementing VAR effectively even if it won't eliminate all controversy from the game, though, and that should come in time, as should a clearer understanding of its use.