Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says his side have received a written apology from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) after the Blues were denied a penalty earlier this season.
Two or three games ago I remember they didn’t whistle for a penalty and then we got an email apologizing that it should have been a penalty, Maresca told the gathered media ahead of his team’s match. Premier League clash with Wolves on Monday night. “But we don’t need excuses.”
The Italian boss did not name the match, but The Athletic the claim Maresca was referring to Chelsea draw 1-1 with Crystal Palace in their first appearance in 2025.
With the Blues leading 1-0 thanks to Cole Palmer’s opener, Pedro Neto was brought down in the box by Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, who pulled away. Both the referee and the VAR waved their hands against the decision, but still the former Premier League official Mike Dean strongly disagreed with the call. “I think Neto got there first, kicked the ball out and Mitchell caught him from behind,” Dean told Sky Sports. I think there should have been an intervention and a definite penalty.
Howard Webb, technical director of PGMOL, the governing body for English referees, did not comment on the incident in his January edition. Microphone for match officials and the Premier League’s official account Match Center X did not provide an explanation for the in-game decision.
The Athletic claim that PGMOL sources vehemently deny Maresca’s allegations, insisting that no apology has been issued Chelsea regarding this sentence appeal.
Chelsea found themselves on the wrong end A history-making VAR decision against Bournemouth earlier this month when on-field referee Rob Jones went against VAR’s recommendation to send off Cherries striker David Brooks for a tackle on Marco Cucurella.
Marescu was told he could be embarrassed by the way his players dramatically appealed for red cards and penalties not awarded. He openly disagreed.
“No, not at all,” ex Leicester City the boss huffed. “The other day for me against Bournemouth was a red card. We will not change anything.
“So the club, us, we are not embarrassed by this. Someone has to be embarrassed by this kind of thing, but not us. I love my players, all of them.”
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