Is this the worst Champions League refereeing performance ever? Chelsea Women are ‘robbed’ at Real Madrid, with football fans left stunned at how two big decisions went against them – with no VAR!

Chelsea fans were left raging at ‘pathetic’ and ’embarrassing’ decisions which saw them ‘robbed blind’ in their Champions League draw away to Real Madrid. 

Blues boss Emma Hayes described the officiating at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano as ’embarrassing’ after a controversial penalty awarded to Real Madrid was followed up with Niamh Charles’ 95th minute winner being chalked off for offside.   

Hayes’ side dominated the Group D clash and were leading 2-1 with 75 minutes played after Charles cancelled out Olga Carmona’s 10th-minute opener, and Sam Kerr had put them in front. 

Controversy would soon dominate and Chelsea’s players, coaching staff and fans were left in disbelief when Jessie Fleming was adjudged to have fouled Real Madrid forward Athenea del Castillo inside the area.

Replays clearly showed Fleming’s foul occurred outside the box and it was the momentum of Castillo that took her into the area. Despite protestations, Carmona scored to make it 2-2. 

Chelsea were already incensed after Jessie Fleming was called for giving away a penalty, despite replays showing the foul occurred outside the area. VAR was not in use for the match

Emma Hayes fumed that Chelsea had been ‘robbed’ and fans were apoplectic with the calls

‘I could see from the bench it was outside the box, so I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t see that,’ Hayes fumed.

‘I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a game like that where two humongous decisions have gone against us.’

‘Chelsea Women totally robbed of an important victory away in Madrid,’ one fan wrote on X.

‘The fact this is a penalty in Europe’s most elite competition is a disgrace.’

‘In what world is this a pen?’ another wrote. 

‘This was given as a penalty to Real Madrid… What a joke…’ a third said.

But the drama would not stop there. 

Sam Kerr went on to pull the side ahead at 2-1 as Hayes’ side thought they might win the tie

But a controversial late penalty call against Flemming handed momentum back to the hosts

Chelsea rallied in search of a winner, sensing that they were the better team and did not need to settle for a point. 

Heading into the final few seconds of five added minutes Millie Bright clipped a ball over the top for Charles to volley in from close range. 

It was quickly ruled out for offside, despite replays showing Charles was clearly onside by a couple of yards. 

‘We scored a legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside. It’s embarrassing,’ boss Hayes said. ‘I had to check why the goal was disallowed.

‘I then watched it back, Sam’s about eight yards away from the goalkeeper, she’s nowhere near her. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we’ve been robbed.’

Hayes was not alone in condemning the decision.

‘That is a terrible decision,’ ex-England defender Gilly Flaherty said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

‘Charles is so far onside it is ridiculous. If I’m Emma Hayes looking back at that call, I am fuming. 

‘Chelsea should be walking away with three points. From the angle that we have seen it isn’t even close [to being offside].’

‘This is one of the most shocking calls in all of refereeing history,’ one angry Chelsea fan wrote. 

‘Pathetic. Makes that embarrassing penalty call look better somehow. Chelsea have been robbed blind.’ 

It should be noted that VAR is not in use during the group stages of the tournament, with UEFA regulations stating that the technology ‘may be used’ from the knockout stages. 

Chelsea fans were furious at both decisions, with one claiming they had been ‘robbed blind’

Chelsea were frustrated in their first group stage Champions League match vs Real Madrid