Lionel Messi sends transfer message to Abramovich, as referee explains why VAR didn’t cancel Leicester’s goal against Chelsea for handball
Despite an impressive season that has seen him score 34 goals and register 11 assists across all competitions, Lionel Messi could leave Barcelona at the end of the season.
The Argentina international’s contract will expire at the end of the season and he is yet to sign a new deal.
According to The Sun via Daily Express, Messi’s camp are beginning to plan for a potential move away from the Nou Camp and have told Manchester City they can strike a deal if they pay him £500,000-a-week.
The report also claims Messi’s representatives have put the feelers out there to both Manchester United and Chelsea regarding a possible transfer for the 33-year-old.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly a huge fan of Messi but it isn’t known if the Russian billionaire would be interested in a deal for the 33 year old.
Former referee explains why VAR didn’t cancel Leicester’s goal against Chelsea for handball
Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans scored the winning goal as Leicester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final.
Many Chelsea fans believe the goal should have been cancelled as the ball made contact with Ayoze Perez’s left-hand, as the Spanish forward attempted to intercept a Reece James’ pass.
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton has explained why VAR didn’t cancel the goal for handball.
He told BT Sport: “It’s a subjective viewpoint whether or not it was handball.
“Personally, I don’t think it was a handball, the ball has deflected off Perez’s knee and just caught his arm. That in itself people may argue is handball, I don’t think it was.
“However, VAR would not have not got involved in that incident because the actual goalscoring opportunity didn’t occur immediately when there was a potential handball.
“There was seven seconds or so between that potential handball and the ball hitting the back of the net.
“That’s not immediately and the law states it’s only an offence if the goalscoring offence happens immediately, so good use of VAR.”