It is sad that officials nowadays appear incapable of using common sense.
The rulebook may suggest that officials were correct to rule out Scott McTominay’s ‘goal’ against Fulham in the first half, but anyone that has the highlights will tell you it was a ridiculous decision.
United travelled to Craven Cottage looking to get back to winning ways after losing consecutive games 3-0 against Man City and Newcastle. And, with every poor result, more questions are being asked of Erik ten Hag.
There is no denying that the pressure is building on Ten Hag. However, I don’t think replacing him with a new manager will make any difference before leopards don’t change their spots. A phrase that could apply to a number of United players and Premier League officials.
We thought United had got off to the perfect start in London, when McTominay turned the ball home just eight minutes in. Alejandro Garnacho was found at the back post before putting the ball back across goal.
The referee, John Brooks, didn’t disallow the goal because McTominay or Garnacho. Instead, VAR ruled out the goal and said it was a “subjective offside decision.” Whatever that means.
However, the player deemed to have been in an offside position and interfering with play is Harry Maguire.
According to IFAB’s latest laws of the game, a player can be penalised if they are in an offside position and become active in the phase by doing the following:
- preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision
- or challenging an opponent for the ball or clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
- or making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball
The cameras showed that Ten Hag was fuming with the decision and it was clear that the England international didn’t touch the ball, so it’s a big stretch to say he interfered with play.
Another terrible decision from VAR.
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