Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri expresses doubt that English referees are able to use VAR properly

Tottenham gained a slender advantage in their Carabao Cup as Harry Kane's penalty earned them a 1-0 win in the first leg at Wembley on Tuesday

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has questioned whether English referees are able to use the VAR system properly.

Tottenham gained a slender advantage in their Carabao Cup as Harry Kane's penalty earned them a 1-0 win in the first leg at Wembley on Tuesday.

The only goal of the evening arrived in unusual circumstances with referee Michael Oliver eventually awarding a penalty with the help of VAR after Spurs skipper Kane was adjudged to have been marginally onside before being taken out by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

And Sarri was displeased with the decision, expressing doubt that English referees have been properly trained how to use VAR.

He told Sky Sports: “I saw a few minutes ago a video from our camera - it was offside. Our camera was in line with Kane, was offside. But it's not important. Offside with the head and knee - offside.

“It was really really important that the linesman stopped the run. He didn't follow the ball so he had a big influence on our defenders I think.

“At the moment I think that English referees are not able to use the system.

“If you are not sure, with this system, you have to follow the ball and at the end of the action you have to decide. But in this case he stopped. He didn't follow the ball so for our defenders it was offside. I don't know about the goalkeeper but for sure, the defenders, but it's not important.

“They have to study, I think, the system because also in Italy the first period was very difficult to understand. Of course, it's very strange that in the Premier League there isn't and in the Carabao Cup there is the system. Strange for us, the players and I think also the referees.”