Premier League officials are under fire again after a controversial disallowed goal in Crystal Palace’s trip to Tottenham.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead during the first half in North London.
However, a VAR review ultimately disallowed Ismaila Sarr’s strike for an offside in the build-up.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was adjudged to have been beyond the last man when the ball was played to him at the start of the move.
The Palace striker went on to pass to Eberechi Eze, who found full-back Daniel Munoz on the right-hand side.
Munoz’s low cross was then converted by Sarr at the back post just eight minutes into the match.
Mateta was deemed to have been offside, though, despite appearing to be inside his own half.
Replays of the semi-automated offside system showed that only his right arm was inside the Spurs half.
However, his shoulder was beyond that of the last defender, Djed Spence, prompting the goal to be ruled out.
Fans and pundits were stunned by the decision, though, including talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham.
Reacting to the disallowed goal, he said: “It’s absolutely ludicrous that that goal was ruled offside. Something has to change.”
Meanwhile, the Premier League Match Centre provided an explanation for the decision on social media.
A post on X following the disallowed strike read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Mateta was in an offside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
Palace did eventually go 1-0 up with Eberechi Eze putting the ball in the back of the net late in the first half.
The strike was his sixth in the Premier League this season in 32 appearances for Palace.
Eze has also provided eight assists for his team-mates across those matches.
His side remain in 12th place in the table with just two matches remaining.
Despite an outside chance of reaching the European places, their best hopes of a maiden continental campaign is the FA Cup.
Oliver Glasner’s side face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A victory would also secure the club’s first piece of major silverware in their 119-year history.
More to follow…
