FA told to scrap 'ridiculous rule' as expert left fuming by Arsenal controversy

The FA have been told to scrap the rule that completely restricts goalkeepers from coming off of their line during a penalty after the recent Arsenal controversy.

That is the opinion of former professional goalkeeper and Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The concern has emerged after David Raya's save from Enzo Le Fee's penalty last week, which came as Arsenal beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

VAR took a close look at whether the Gunners goalkeeper had taken his foot from behind the line before the ball was struck, but ultimately came to the conclusion that he had not.

Since 1905, penalties have always required the shot-stopper to stay on their line, but the introduction of VAR has seen a complete clamp down on any movement.

2019 saw an update to the rule, allowing goalkeepers to keep one part of one foot touching, or in line with, the goal line when the ball is kicked.

'Give the goalkeeper half a chance at least'

Before VAR, officials stood in line with the goal and were supposed to keep an eye on the goalkeeper's position during penalties.

The most famous example of that guidance simply not being followed came in the 2005 Champions League final. Having come from 3-0 down to 3-3, Liverpool had taken AC Milan to penalties in Istanbul.

Jerzy Dudek would save two for the Reds on their path to victory, despite having been seen clearly coming far off his line during every spot kick.

Andrea Pirlo's saved penalty was perhaps most startling, with the Liverpool goalkeeper making it halfway to the six-yard line before the ball was struck.

"That penalty save was a bloody good save, by the way. Absolutely great hand, so quick to get down," King told Football Insider when asked about Raya's save against Sunderland.

"I heard somebody say, 'he moved.' Yeah, all right. How many of the others moved? That's another thing where they brought in that the goalkeeper should stay on the line.

"He can jump up and down, but his feet have got to stay on the line. How many goalkeepers have we seen make that little early move? And by rights, by the FA rules, they should take it again. That rule is another ridiculous rule, disgraceful really.

"Give the goalkeeper half a chance at least. It shouldn't have been a penalty in the first place."

David Raya save makes justice

Raya's plunging save to his left saw him reach and tip Le Fee's well-struck penalty onto the post, in a moment that was followed just over two minutes later by Bruno Guimaraes' superb strike.

But Sunderland likely should not have had a penalty in the first place, after replays revealed a mistake by the officials.

John Brooks gave the penalty after seeing Ezri Konsa collapse on top of Dan Ballard in the Arsenal box.

Replays revealed that the Sunderland defender initiated contact and dragged Konsa down by his arm, but VAR opted against an intervention.