Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard insists there has been no need to speak to Callum Hudson-Odoi in the wake of his controversial yellow card for diving against Burnley – which was described as “shambolic” by Sean Dyche.
BHudson-Odoi was initially awarded a penalty for going down in the box during the 4-2 victory at Turf Moor, before being booked for duving after the decision was overturned by VAR.
Dyche was extremely critical of the incident post-match, calling it “shambolic how people just dive all over the place”, while saying it was worse because it involved a young player.
However, responding to Dyche’s comments, Lampard is reluctant 18-year-old England international Hudson-Odoi did not dive.
“Nothing, I’ve said nothing. I didn’t feel the need to,” replied Lampard when asked what he had said to Hudson-Odoi.
“I asked him on the day of the game, straight afterwards, after my press, he said he got a touch. Clearly when you see it back from behind he gets a hand on his back. I know it’s light.
“I’m not saying it’s a definite penalty but it’s not (a dive). I’m not sure if Sean had maybe watched it back and all the angles when he spoke because it wasn’t a dive as such.
“If that becomes a dive you will start analysing every bit of contact. Was that enough to put (Burnley striker) Ashley Barnes on the floor or not? Was that enough for Callum to go down or not?
“That is the game, those are the grey areas. It was nowhere near a clear cut issue.”
On-field officials have so far been reluctant to use pitch-side monitors to help their rulings, choosing to rely on the judgements of their colleagues.
Frank Lampard would like to see that change. Asked if he wants referees to watch replays of contentious incidents, he said: “Yes.
“It’s part of VAR and I assumed when it came in to the Premier League that would be the case. I think we’re at the point now where, from my point of view, they have to.
“It’s difficult. I’m not one to bang the drum, it’s not easy. Even with VAR there is an element of a human involved because they are the ones checking it and it’s slightly opinionated.
“I think at the weekend we saw it flip slightly the other way from what it had been already with some decisions being changed.
“Hopefully we find the right middle ground as soon as possible and I think seeing a monitor on the side of the pitch is a way forward.”
