England legend, Rio Ferdinand haa blamed the referee and VAR officials for not showing a red card to Chelsea captain, César Azpilicueta during their 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 second leg in London on Wednesday.
Hakim Ziyech’s first-half opener and Emerson Palmieri’s late effort secured a 3-0 aggregate win for Thomas Tuchel’s side
Chelsea had won the first leg 1-0 in Madrid thanks to Olivier Giroud’s overhead kick.
However, Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender felt Chelsea were lucky not to finish the game with 10 men.
Azpilicueta under hit a backpass towards his goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and then tugged Atletico’s Yannick Carassco’s waist to stop him from chasing the ball but the officials overlooked and no penalty was awarded.
“It’s a disgrace,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. “If I’m a player or manager in the Atletico dressing room, you’re screaming, you’re going bananas.
“That should be going to VAR, the referee should be called to the sides and said take a look at this. He takes one look at that, 100% red card I’m telling you and the game’s different.”
