Why Eberechi Eze Free Kick Goal for Crystal Palace Against Chelsea Was Disallowed
- The Premier League has clarified why Eberechi Eze’s early strike against Chelsea was chalked off
- The Crystal Palace star thought he had fired his side ahead with a thunderous free-kick that flew past Robert Sanchez
- His teammates rushed to celebrate, but the joy was short-lived as VAR intervened and the goal was disallowed
Chelsea were given an early reprieve in their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace after Eberechi Eze’s thunderous free-kick was ruled out following a VAR review.
Eze had powered the strike through the wall from the edge of the box, leaving goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with no chance.
Source: Getty Images
However, Sanchez had positioned the wall to keep his line of sight clear at the moment of contact.
That plan was undone when Palace captain Marc Guehi shoved Moises Caicedo, blocking Sanchez’s view and leading to the disallowance.
Referee explains VAR decision after Eze’s free-Kick disallowed
Referee Darren England was called to the pitch-side monitor by the VAR official before ruling out Eberechi Eze’s powerful free-kick against Chelsea.
After reviewing the footage, he confirmed to the Stamford Bridge crowd that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi had committed an infringement by standing within one metre of the Chelsea wall when the set-piece was taken.
England’s announcement clarified the reason for the disallowance, bringing an abrupt end to Palace’s early celebrations.
“After review, away number six [Guehi] 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”.
Furthermore, as per Sky Sports, the laws of the game state:
“Where three or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, all attacking team players must remain at least 1 m (1 yd) from the ‘wall’ until the ball is in play”.
Chelsea set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva immediately complained to the fourth official about Guehi’s actions.
The Crystal Palace bench accepted the referee’s call, but their travelling supporters voiced their anger by chanting “it’s not football anymore” at Stamford Bridge.
Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, questioned the consistency of such decisions, noting:
"How many times have we seen that in the past where there’s blocking? If that is the precedent set on the opening weekend it has to stay for the season.”
Sidwell had earlier praised Eberechi Eze’s strike before it was disallowed, calling it a moment of sheer power that flew past Robert Sanchez.
Source: YEN.com.gh
