15 November 2023 , 23:16
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Emma Hayes believes that Chelsea were “robbed” after poor officiating cost them a Champions League win against Real Madrid.
The Blues had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their Group D opener after a late Olga Carmona penalty, her second of the evening, earned Real a dramatic point.
Fine headers from Niamh Charles and Sam Kerr had completed an excellent turn around, after Hayes’ side trailed early when Carmona’s long-range effort deflected in off Millie Bright. But the hosts' 79th minute penalty turned the tie.
Referee Frida Mia Klarlund pointed to the spot when Jessie Fleming fouled Athenea Del Castillo, although contact was minimal and the challenge looked to have come outside the box. Charles then looked to have won the tie with the last kick of the game, when the full-back latched onto the end of a long ball from Millie Bright in the dying seconds.
But the assistant's flag ruled out the goal, cutting Chelsea joy short. This is despite goalscorer Charles clearly running in from an onside position, although Kerr may have pushed the defender or potentially interfered with the goalkeeper's line of sight.
It was another hugely controversial decision. Both calls left Hayes fuming at full-time, while the Blues had to settle for a point despite dominating the tie.
“I think we’ve been robbed of what should be a 3-1 game,” said Hayes. “I could see from the bench that the tackle (for the penalty) was outside the box. I'm absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn't see that. There is the free kick that was awarded as a penalty.
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"Then we score a legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside. "It is embarrassing. I had to check why it was disallowed. Was it Niamh? No.
"Was it Sam (Kerr) interfering with the goalkeeper? She was about seven yards away, no way near the keeper. It is embarrassing. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever."
When Kerr peeled away to head home a wonderful cross from Charles with only 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Chelsea looked to have secured a win to kickstart Hayes' final European campaign at the club. By the tie turned dramatically only five minutes later.
Against the run of play, Fleming brought down Del Castillo when running at the Blues' defence. But the challenge looked to have been made outside contact, while contact was minimal at best.
Olga Carmona fired home a controversially awarded penalty"I could see from the bench that the tackle (for the penalty decision) was outside the box," added Hayes. "So I'm absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn't see that.
"Of course maybe Jessie Fleming shouldn't lunge in that area, but it happens clearly outside the box. At this level when you are in control of a game and important decisions like that go against you, it makes it difficult."