“This Isn’t Right… VAR Didn’t Do Their Job” – Burnley Boss Scott Parker Blasts Officials After Chelsea’s Comfortable 2–0 Win
Burnley manager Scott Parker delivered a fierce criticism of the match officials and VAR team after his side’s 2–0 loss to Chelsea, arguing that his team were denied a “blatant” penalty. Although many observers felt Chelsea fully deserved the victory, Parker was left incensed, accusing VAR of being “oddly inconsistent and worryingly passive.”
Chelsea looked composed and in control throughout their visit to Turf Moor, with Enzo Maresca’s side taking the three points with ease. But Parker’s explosive post-match reaction quickly became the main talking point.
Parker: “This is just wrong.”
Visibly upset in his post-match interview, Parker didn’t mince his words.
“This is just wrong. We should have had at least one penalty. VAR and the match officials didn’t do their job. The FA needs to investigate this. The match didn’t unfold the way it should have.”
Parker believes the game’s key moment occurred midway through the second half when a Burnley forward appeared to be tripped inside the penalty area. Despite protests from the players and outrage from the Burnley bench, both the referee and VAR allowed play to continue without a review.
VAR Call Sparks Backlash
The flashpoint has since generated intense debate, with fans replaying the footage online. Some say the contact was too soft to be a penalty, but Parker insists the foul was “impossible to miss.”
Burnley staff argued that:
- There was clear contact between defender and attacker
- VAR never asked the referee to take another look
- The communication behind the decision felt “rushed and unclear”
- Chelsea benefited from what they described as an “unreasonable oversight”
Parker even suggested the officials “failed to uphold the rules of the game” in the moment.
Chelsea’s Win Overshadowed
Despite the uproar, Chelsea were unquestionably superior over the 90 minutes. Their control of possession, disciplined defending, and sharp finishing secured a straightforward 2–0 result—one most neutrals agreed was deserved.
Still, Parker maintains that the missed decision disrupted Burnley’s confidence and halted their momentum, calling it an “unexplainable refereeing lapse.”
“The FA Needs to Investigate This”
Parker’s frustration deepened as he called for formal action:
“We can accept losing when it’s fair, but this wasn’t. The FA needs to look into what happened. Something felt off today.”
This isn’t the first time Parker has complained about VAR inconsistency, but this may be his strongest criticism yet.
Burnley Fans Back Their Manager
Supporters echoed Parker’s anger:
- “VAR gets worse every week.”
- “If that’s not a penalty, what is?”
- “We just want fairness.”
Others, though, admitted that Chelsea’s dominance may have made the potential penalty irrelevant to the final result.
Calm Response from Chelsea
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca played down the controversy:
“I believe the officials made the correct call. We performed well and fully earned the points. I didn’t see anything that should overshadow our display.”
What Comes Next?
It remains to be seen whether the FA will act on Parker’s comments, but his remarks are likely to draw scrutiny—and possibly disciplinary follow-up. Chelsea move forward with growing confidence, while Burnley must now refocus and ensure frustration with
