Wilfred Ndidi narrowly avoided a red card following a reckless and dangerous tackle on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during a Premier League match at King Power Stadium.
The incident in the first half saw Ndidi’s studs make contact with Palmer’s right ankle, causing the Chelsea midfielder visible pain. Although many felt the challenge deserved a red card, VAR ruled that the tackle lacked sufficient “intensity” and issued only a yellow card to Ndidi.
This decision sparked anger among fans and pundits, with Chelsea legend Joe Cole leading the criticism. Speaking on TNT Sports during halftime, Cole condemned the tackle, accusing Ndidi of intentionally trying to harm Palmer.
He pointed out that Ndidi’s right foot had no intention of playing the ball and was aimed directly at Palmer, followed by a swipe with his left foot. Cole suggested Ndidi’s frustration over Leicester’s performance was behind the challenge and argued that a red card was warranted.
Cole also highlighted the potential consequences of the incident, noting that Palmer nearly scored an equalizer later in the game.
He suggested that if Leicester had mounted a comeback, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would have been furious with the officials’ decision.
TNT Sports host Lynsey Hipgrave shared the VAR explanation, which cited the close proximity between Ndidi and Palmer and the perceived lack of intensity as reasons for issuing only a yellow card. Cole, visibly frustrated, disagreed with this reasoning.
Chelsea fans expressed their outrage on social media, criticizing the officials for failing to protect Palmer. Some pointed out that this was the second dangerous tackle on Palmer this season that resulted only in a yellow card.
Supporters called for stronger measures to safeguard players, particularly top talents, and for better accountability from referees.
The incident also drew comparisons to a similar tackle by Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez on Palmer earlier in the season, which similarly resulted in only a yellow card.
These recurring issues have sparked ongoing debates about the consistency and fairness of Premier League officiating and the effectiveness of VAR in ensuring player safety.
While Chelsea won the match, the controversy surrounding Ndidi’s challenge dominated the conversation, intensifying calls for improved officiating standards.
