25 February 2024 , 13:01
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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly facing an FA probe after suggesting referees favour Liverpool.
Chelsea take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday in Pochettino's first high-stakes match with the team. Ahead of the game, the Argentine asked for referees to be "fair" while discussing how two penalty decisions went against the Blues when they last played Liverpool.
He said: "We need to be sure we are going to compete and be fair in every single decision. When we played Liverpool at Anfield, not one key decision was for us. Two penalties were not given. Duels, 50-50s, always red. I want to be treated in a fair way.
"I am the first to say Liverpool is amazing and Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world. But after my last experience playing there, what I want is to play a game at the same level and the best team wins. We want both clubs to be seen in the same way."
According to The Sun, the ex-Tottenham manager's words could land him in hot water, with the FA allegedly set to consider if they're worthy of a charge.
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This year's Carabao Cup final will be the first to use VAR, something Pochettino is a fan of. He said: "I am pro-VAR. But the problem is always the same: who are the referees that are watching the TV and how we use VAR. The system, the technology is not the problem. I think it helps.
"The way it is used between the referees on the pitch and the referees in the room, that is the key. Sometimes the same situation brings a different decision. That is the difficult thing for coaches to accept, and the fans."
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