Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has called for the introduction of VAR in the Premier League after labelling his yellow card against Everton a joke.
Rudiger believes video technology must be introduced as quickly as possible after he was booked following an attempted head-butt from Everton’s Bernard at the weekend. Referee Kevin Friend had his back turned when Rudiger went down after Bernard appeared to try to head-butt him, but the pair were then both booked.
Rudiger said: “I think if in England we have VAR then I think Bernard has a problem. He was diving and I told him to stand up, and then I was standing and he came with a lot of speed and hit me with his forehead, and I get a yellow card. To me that’s a joke. The referee didn’t see nothing. So for me, it’s like the fourth man who is outside, maybe he said something to him, that maybe I provoked or something. I just said stand up. At the end of the day, I just say if there is VAR he would have been sent off.”
Asked if Chelsea would have won the game, which they drew 0-0, if Bernard had been dismissed, Rudiger added: “Maybe. Maybe not. We don’t know. But I know one thing for sure. If we had VAR – he is off. Of course it is annoying, because I don’t even tackle someone or do something, and I get booked, for being head-butted. Sorry but that is a joke. But I have to accept it. It didn’t change anything in my game.”
