Chelsea’s draw with Arsenal was filled with refereeing controversy – but should the Blues’ first goal have been disallowed for another subjective offside in the Premier League?
In the second half, Trevoh Chalobah gave Chelsea the lead with a header from Rhys James’ corner – but did Enzo Fernandez play a major role in getting the ball in – from an offside position?
The Chelsea number 8 was ahead of the game when Chaloba crossed the ball and while Fernandez does not touch the ball, it appears to affect Christian Mosquera’s ability to clear the ball off the line.
Fernandez was in an offside position when Chaloba crossed the ball
Fernandez played a big part in Christian Mosquera’s ability to clear the ball off the line
According to PGMOL rules, a player can be offside if:
- prevent the opponent from being able to play the ball
- challenge the opponent for the ball or
- perform an obvious action that clearly affects the opponent’s ability to play the ball.
Fernandez’s actions challenge all three of these criteria. Ski Sports News have reached out to PGMOL for comment.
While Mosquera’s right hand is technically tied with Fernandez, the Laws of the Game say “The hands and arms of all players, including the goalkeeper, are not taken into account.”“offside, because you can’t gain an advantage using your hands in football.
While Mosquera’s arm is in line with Fernandez, hands and arms are not included in offside decisions
Instead, offside is judged on the sleeve line. And Fernandez appears to be ahead of Mosquera’s sleeve.
Hands are not used in offside and referees check them from the sleeve line – as in this example in Newcastle v Man City
This incident follows a number of subjective offside calls in the Premier League. Virgil van Dijk’s goal for Liverpool at Man City was disallowed after Andy Robertson was adjudged to have influenced play from an offside position without touching the ball.
Then two weeks later, Murillo’s goal for Nottingham Forest against Liverpool was disallowed by VAR despite Dan Ndoye being offside. That goal was disallowed as Ndoie was adjudged not in the sight of Allison.
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Virgil van Dijk’s goal against Manchester City was disallowed by Liverpool for offside in front of the goalkeeper, but during the game against Nottingham Forest, Murillo’s goal stood!
So, did the officials miss a big call that could affect this season’s title race?