The Premier League has issued an official explanation regarding the controversial decision to rule out Eberechi Eze’s goal for Crystal Palace against Chelsea.
Eze had put Palace ahead with a thunderous free kick in the 13th minute, threading the ball through a gap between two defensive lines, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez unable to respond in time. ..Continue Reading
However, the goal was sent to VAR for review due to a possible infringement involving Palace skipper Marc Guehi and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.
The focus was on whether Guehi had pushed Caicedo into the defensive wall, creating space for Eze’s strike.
Following an extended VAR assessment, the goal was ultimately disallowed, prompting confusion and frustration among fans.
The Premier League’s Match Centre later clarified that the decision wasn’t based on a foul by Guehi, but rather on a lesser-known rule violation committed during the set piece.
The statement reads: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Crystal Palace.
“Referee announcement: ‘After review, away number six is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal’.”
Law 13, established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), outlines the regulations for executing free kicks. Within this rule, there’s a particular clause that explains why Eberechi Eze’s goal was ruled out.
Marc Guehi was found to be positioned less than the required one-metre distance from the defensive wall at the moment the free kick was taken, which constitutes a breach of the law.
The law reads: “Until the ball is in play, all opponents must remain at least 9.15m (10yds) from the ball, unless they are on their own goal line between the goalposts [or] outside the penalty area for free kicks inside the opponents’ penalty area.
“Where three or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, all attacking team players must remain 1m (1yd) from the ‘wall’ until the ball is in play.”
