5 of the most controversial VAR calls of 2020 so far | Premier League 2019-20

#5 Harry Maguire avoids a red card – Chelsea vs. Manchester United, 17th February 2020

Harry Maguire somehow escaped a red card against Chelsea - and then went onto score a goal for Manchester United in the same game

Perhaps no other game this season was affected more by VAR than Chelsea’s 0-2 loss to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this week. The Blues had two goals ruled out under questionable circumstances, particularly Kurt Zouma’s first half finish – which was chalked off due to an apparent push on Brandon Williams from Cezar Azpilicueta, despite Fred pushing the Spaniard first – but the worst moment was almost certainly the incident involving United captain Harry Maguire.

The defender was involved in a chase for the ball with Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, and after he won the ball, a nudge from the Belgian sent him sliding off the pitch. Batshuayi’s momentum took him the same way, and as he stumbled towards Maguire, it appeared that the England man lashed out with his right foot to kick him in the groin.

It seemed like a clear and obvious red card offence – particularly as Tottenham’s Son Heung Min had been dismissed for a similar kick-out against Frank Lampard’s side in December – but in a baffling call, somehow VAR decided the incident didn’t even warrant a booking.

The controversial call then ended up coming back to haunt Lampard later in the game; Maguire popped up at a second half corner to head United’s second goal home, putting the game beyond Chelsea. To make matters even more confusing, the referee for the game was none other than Anthony Taylor – the same man who had sent Son off in December!