Cesar Azpilicueta has insisted that Sadio Mane should have been sent off for arming him in the face during the opening exchanges of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
Seconds after kick off at Stamford Bridge, the Reds launched a long pass upfield and Mane’s forearm made clear contact with Azpilicueta as the pair both challenged for the ball.
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Despite this, referee Anthony Taylor only showed the Senegal international a caution, and the incident was not referred to VAR.
Just eight minutes later Mane was opening the scoring for Liverpool and although Chelsea battled back for a point, Azpilicueta was fuming that he was allowed to remain on the field after the incident.
“It’s a clear red. I don’t mind if it’s the first action of the game, it’s a clear red,” he told Sky Sports.
“He doesn’t want to challenge, he does not see the ball, he just wants to hit with the elbow. Honestly, I don’t understand.”
He continued: “We have had these kinds of decisions the other day. Two penalties and the VAR didn’t come. Today, the first action is a clear red card. We are getting these decisions against us. Of course, they could changed the game.
“I don’t understand. We are promoting the challenges in the Premier League, 50/50 with the ball, and sometimes we have seen jokes of penalties in all honesty. And sometimes we see real dangerous actions and we don’t take action.”
“We see there are a few games where referees become a bit softer in terms of penalties, in terms of red cards. I don’t know what happens but we don’t see the consistency throughout the same game or throughout the season.
“It is disappointing. I watched the replay but I did not need it. In real life I knew it was a clear red.”
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