By Keith Hackett

7th May, 2023 | 8:00am

Chelsea news: Ex-Premier League referee issues 'extremely harsh' Wesley Fofana verdict - 'it's a joke'

Keith Hackett has insisted it would have been “extremely harsh” to penalise Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana for handball in the loss against Arsenal on Tuesday (2 May).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee conceded the decision could have gone a different way in another game – and branded the handball law “a joke”.

As seen in footage posted to Twitter (2 May), Leandro Trossard’s cross was blocked by the hand of Chelsea’s Fofana with Arsenal leading 1-0 inside the first 30 minutes.

The Frenchman had his arms tucked into his body as he attempted to block the cross – with referee Robert Jones and VAR official Andre Mariner both declining to award a spot-kick.

The decision ultimately didn’t influence the outcome of the game, with Arsenal going on to record an emphatic 3-1 victory over their London rivals to keep their title challenge alive.

Mikel Arteta’s side are one point behind leaders Man City having played a game more than the current champions.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think if it was given, VAR wouldn’t have intervened.

“But the referee hasn’t given it, so they’ve not come in.

“I think it would have been extremely harsh. He’s got his elbow tucked into his chest, he’s trying to get out the way. It’s a natural movement.

“It would have been a very harsh penalty if it was given.

“The handball law is a joke. It’s every week that we are getting these kinds of incidents being dealt with differently.”

In other news, Chelsea takeover plot revealed as Todd Boehly eyes summer deal.