“A clear HANDBALL, but they overlooked it”— it should have been a PENALTY, not a corner kick!” – Chelsea legend slams ref & VAR decision to knock Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup Semi final against Arsenal
In the 80th minute (or around the 79th-81st as reported variably in live updates), with the game finely poised, Chelsea earned a free-kick in a promising position after a foul on one of their players.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s star attacker and set-piece specialist, stepped up to take the free-kick. His delivery curled toward the Arsenal wall but was blocked, with the ball appearing to strike an Arsenal defender’s arm—sparking immediate claims of handball from Chelsea players, bench, and supporters. The on-field referee waved play on, awarding only a corner kick after a follow-up effort (possibly from Trevoh Chalobah) was also blocked. No VAR intervention occurred, despite loud appeals for a penalty review.
Chelsea fans erupted in fury across social media and live commentary feeds, describing it as a “clear handball” that “should have been a penalty, not a corner.” The incident came at a crucial juncture in a match that could define Chelsea’s path to Wembley, amplifying frustrations over perceived inconsistencies in officiating. Many pointed out that similar arm contacts in the box have led to penalties in other games this season, questioning why VAR remained silent once again when Chelsea were involved.
Chelsea legend and former left-back Ashley Cole, now often seen in punditry or ambassadorial roles, did not hold back in his post-match reaction. Speaking in interviews and on social platforms, he blasted the referee and VAR officials, echoing the sentiment of many Blues supporters: “Why is it ALWAYS the referee and VAR that become the problem for Chelsea? Especially in a crucial game like tonight?” His comments highlighted a perceived pattern of decisions going against the club in big moments, fueling debates about bias, incompetence, or strict application of handball laws.
Under current Premier League and Carabao Cup handball guidelines (aligned with IFAB rules), a penalty is awarded if the ball strikes an arm that makes the body unnaturally bigger or if it prevents a clear goalscoring opportunity—even if unintentional. However, if the arm is in a natural position or the contact is deemed accidental without those factors, no foul is given. In this case, the lack of intervention suggested officials viewed it as not meeting the “clear and obvious” threshold for VAR to step in, or perhaps the arm position was not seen as unnatural enough from the available angles.
This was not an isolated grievance for Chelsea this season. Recent matches, including their 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace in late January 2026, featured handball controversies—but in Chelsea’s favor, with a penalty awarded after VAR review for an accidental arm block on a goalbound shot. That decision drew ire from Palace fans and pundits, who argued it was overly harsh. The contrast has only intensified accusations of inconsistency from Chelsea supporters, who feel their team often suffers the opposite fate in tight calls.
The broader context adds weight to the outrage: Chelsea have been pushing for silverware under their current management, with Cole Palmer central to their attack. Missing a potential penalty in a semi-final could prove decisive over two legs. Social media timelines from the evening were flooded with clips of the incident, fan reactions, and memes highlighting the “handball” freeze-frames, with hashtags like #ChelseaRobbed and #VAROut trending briefly among Blues followers.
Pundits and analysts have since weighed in, with some defending the no-penalty call by noting the ball struck the wall at close range and the arm may not have been deliberately positioned. Others sided with Chelsea, calling it a “nailed-on” spot-kick that VAR should have flagged. Ashley Cole’s pointed criticism—questioning why such decisions “always” seem to disadvantage Chelsea in pivotal fixtures—resonated deeply, reigniting long-standing debates about English football’s officiating standards.
As the dust settles, this moment will likely be dissected in match reviews and added to the growing dossier of VAR controversies in the 2025/26 season. For Chelsea fans, it’s another chapter in a frustrating narrative, while Arsenal will count themselves fortunate to escape without conceding from the set-piece. The second leg awaits, but the handball shout from that 80th-minute free-kick will linger in discussions for weeks. Whether it ultimately costs Chelsea progression remains to be seen, but the anger is palpable and shows no signs of fading soon.