Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Emma Hayes Bemoans Poor Officiating in UWCL Game

• Real Madrid and Chelsea played to a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Women's Champions League
• The hosts were awarded a controversial penalty, while the Blues had a goal disallowed
• Coach, Emma Hayes was impressed with their performance but not the match officials

Chelsea left Spain with a point after a hard-fought battle against Real Madrid but would feel cheated as they could have left with all three points if not for poor officiating.

The Blues opened their 2023/24 UEFA Women's Champions League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Los Blancos, seeking the only trophy missing from their cabinet.

Real Madrid took an early lead through Olga Carmona before Chelsea equalised via Niamh Charles in the first half, taking the lead through Sam Kerr in the second half.

The Spanish team were awarded a penalty despite Jessie Fleming's foul on Del Castillo happening outside the box, but Danish referee, Frida Mia Klarlund Nielsen pointed to the spot.

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The English team battled back again, but their last-second goal by Charles was ruled out for offside after Kerr, who was in an offside position, was adjudged to have interfered with play, as seen in a video shared by DAZN Football.

Hayes blasts poor officiating

Chelsea boss, Emma Hayes was deflated after the game. She praised her team's performance but was critical of the officiating by the Danish referee.

She was particularly unimpressed by the penalty, which was clearly outside the box from where she stood, saying she was surprised the officials awarded it as a spot kick.

"I could see from the bench it was a tackle outside of the box, so I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t see that. That was clear," she told Chelsea TV.

On Charles’s disallowed goal, Hayes described the call as 'embarrassing'.

"I had to check because Niamh’s onside but the reason the goal was ruled offside was because Sam was interfering with the goalkeeper. Sam’s about seven yards away from the goalkeeper, she’s nowhere near her, so I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we’ve been robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game."

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Next for the Blues is a home game against Liverpool Women at Stamford Bridge, an opportunity to cement their spot at the top of the WSL table.

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Pochettino snubs Guardiola at full-time

Speaking of Chelsea, Sports Brief previously reported on coach, Mauricio Pochettino snubbing Pep Guardiola at full-time and storming at the match officials, led by Anthony Taylor, to give them a piece of his mind.

It was actually quite a fair performance from the controversial official, who had overseen some games involving the two-time UEFA Champions League winner in the past and had been guilty of some terrible calls.