Barcelona players feel VAR is "super necessary" in the Women’s Champions League after controversial calls marred Real Madrid's clash against Chelsea.
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Chelsea denied a late winner Penalty awarded to Madrid despite foul outside the boxBarca players call for VAR in group stages of UWCL WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes felt "robbed" by two controversial refereeing decisions that saw a penalty being awarded to Madrid despite Jessie Fleming committing the foul while outside of the area. Meanwhile, the second one incorrectly cancelled out Chelsea's potential winner from Niamh Charles as it was deemed offside forcing the Blues to leave the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium with just a point after being held to a 2-2 draw. This has prompted Barcelona players, Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, to call for the immediate implementation of VAR in the Women's Champions League group stage.
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Hansen while speaking to reporters said: "I think it has to be used in the Champions League from minute one when the group stage starts. Every year we are doing things to improve [the game], but it's clear that it should be utilised in the group phase as well as the knockouts. Like [this week], the games are intense, there are a lot of decisive situations and, at the end of the day, I think everyone just wants games to end with the result as it should end. If we can have help, that helps."
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Hansen's teammate, Paralluelo, also urged UEFA to implement VAR from the group stages. In fact, the Blaugranas have been clamouring for the technology from the start of the campaign led by defender Mapi Leon who echoed the sentiments of her teammate back in October.
"At the end of the day, VAR is a tool that makes things as fair as possible on the pitch because of the support it provides," Paralluelo said.
"Not having it can lead to wrong decisions. We need it both in the league and in the Champions League [group phase]. I think it is super necessary."
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND BARCELONA?
Chelsea will return to action against Liverpool in the WSL on Saturday while Barcelona will host host bitter rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
