Premier League release statement following ‘worst VAR call of 2024’ during Ipswich vs Chelsea

Enzo Maresca’s side conceded a 12th-minute penalty, which was won and scored by the Tractor Boys’ forward Liam Delap to register his seventh goal of the season.

However, fans on social media were quick to question the referee’s decision to award a penalty.

Ipswich worked the ball forward with intensity before Leif Davis played a ball through to the galloping Delap, who appeared to lose his balance before being caught by an onrushing Filip Jorgensen before the referee awarded the spot kick.

But on second glance, Delap appeared to already be on the floor before his momentum carried him past the Chelsea ‘keeper, but he momentarily got back to his feet before then going over once again.

The Premier League released a statement shortly after the incident, it read: “The referee’s call of penalty for a foul by Jorgensen on Delap was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty.”

Fans gave their thoughts on social media.

One said: “I think the goalkeeper hits him with his knee, look at his knee only.”

Another added: “He clearly goes to stand up then dives.”

A third commented: “He has already lost the ball.”

While a fourth exclaimed: “Even if he does clip him a little bit, the contact is extremely minimal. the sport died the day we started giving pens for anything.”

A fifth slammed: “That’s definitely not a penalty.”

A sixth added: “Whats the point in VAR if that doesn’t get overturned.”

To further infuriate Chelsea supports, Joao Felix had the ball in the net in the 27th-minute but his celebrations were cut short, when VAR intervened and disallowed the strike due to an offside during the build up.

The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision with another statement on X, it read: “Felix’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that he was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Chelsea went in 1-0 down at half-time after a lacklustre first-half showing.