Fulham manager Marco Silva criticised the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after multiple close calls went against his side during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“How you disallow a goal like that one is unbelievable. Unbelievable,” Silva told TNT Sports.

“We can talk about many things but I’d prefer to say nothing more, because I’ll be punished. And I don’t want to be on the bench in the next game. I don’t want to pay fines,” he added.

The first instance occured in the first half when Joshua King scored to give the visitor the lead. However, his strike was ruled out by VAR due to a foul by Rodrigo Muniz in the build-up. Muniz had stepped on Trevoh Chalobah’s foot.

Referee Robert Jones also consulted the VAR before awarding the penalty that led to Chelsea’s second goal in the second half, after the ball hit Ryan Sessegnon’s arm in the box. Minutes later, the ball hit defender Malo Gusto in the Chelsea penalty area but Fulham was not awarded a penalty.

“Similar things, for the opposition (and) for us, they decide in a different way. All the decisions from the VAR, all the decisions from the referee made a massive impact in the game,” Silva said.

Former Chelsea midfielder and television pundit Joe Cole sided with Silva.

“It’s an absolutely disgraceful performance from VAR. We have to remember that when we watch football it means so much to many people and VAR feels sanitised and clinical — it doesn’t work. Let’s be honest,” Cole said on TNT Sports.

Published on Aug 30, 2025