FIFA Confirms Removal of Officials from Leicester City vs. Chelsea Match Over Unaddressed Challenge on Cole Palmer
Wilfred Ndidi escaped a red card despite a reckless and dangerous tackle on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during a Premier League clash at King Power Stadium. The first-half incident saw Ndidi’s studs connect with the back of Palmer’s right ankle, leaving the young Chelsea midfielder in visible pain. While many believed the challenge warranted a red card, VAR determined the foul lacked the necessary “intensity,” resulting in only a yellow card for Ndidi.
The decision sparked widespread outrage among fans and pundits, with Chelsea legend Joe Cole leading the criticism. Speaking on TNT Sports during halftime, Cole condemned the tackle, accusing Ndidi of deliberate intent to harm. He highlighted that Ndidi’s right foot made no attempt to play the ball and was aimed directly at Palmer, followed by an attempted swipe with his left foot. Cole attributed Ndidi’s actions to frustration over Leicester’s performance and argued a red card was the appropriate response.
Cole also emphasized the potential repercussions of the incident, noting that Palmer nearly scored an equalizer later in the match. He suggested that if Ndidi had contributed to a Leicester turnaround, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would have been infuriated with the officiating.
TNT Sports host Lynsey Hipgrave shared the VAR’s reasoning for the decision, citing the Premier League Match Centre’s explanation. According to VAR, the short distance between Ndidi and Palmer at the time of the tackle and the perceived lack of intensity led to the conclusion that a yellow card sufficed. Cole, visibly frustrated, shook his head in disagreement with this justification.
Chelsea fans voiced their anger on social media, criticizing the officials for failing to protect Palmer. Some pointed out that this was the second instance this season where Palmer had been subjected to a dangerous tackle that resulted only in a yellow card. Supporters called for stricter measures to ensure the safety of players, especially top talents, and demanded better accountability from officials.
The incident also drew comparisons to a similar challenge by Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez on Palmer earlier in the season, which likewise only earned a yellow card. These recurring issues have fueled ongoing debates about the consistency and fairness of Premier League officiating, as well as the effectiveness of VAR in maintaining player safety. Although Chelsea secured a victory, the controversy surrounding Ndidi’s challenge overshadowed the result, intensifying discussions about the need for improved officiating standards.
