PGMOL expert is stunned after analysing the latest ‘video clip of’ Fulham-Liverpool offside controversy
Semi-automated offside technology fails to deliver the accuracy needed for the Premier League after Fulham’s draw with Liverpool.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Florian Wirtz should have seen his goal disallowed at Craven Cottage on Sunday, 4 January.
Arne Slot is under tremendous pressure at Anfield, despite the Reds sitting fourth in the Premier League table, and the draw against the Cottagers has done very little to help the manager.
Liverpool looked set to return to Merseyside with all three points until Harrison Reed unleashed a bullet from long-range, sparking pandemonium in West London in the seventh minute of added time.
That was enough for Marco Silva‘s side to claim a point, and it might have been more had Wirtz’s equaliser not counted.
Florian Wirtz scores Liverpool equaliser from an offside position
In the 57th minute, Wirtz was fed through by Conor Bradley, before sliding under Bernd Leno, but replays showed an extremely tight call for offside, which was eventually allowed after a VAR check.
The Premier League, of course, has semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) this season, with the match centre explaining that the German international was indeed onside in the build-up.
Supporters, however, are not fully convinced by the decision, with the attacker’s toe appearing to poke beyond the Fulham defender. Hackett is also unsure how the goal was given at Craven Cottage.
Harry Wilson also continued his brilliant form for Fulham, with the same technology confirming that the Welshman was onside before his goal, perhaps proving an inconsistency in VAR.
Keith Hackett blasts SAOT after Craven Cottage controversy
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “I have a lack of confidence in the semi-automated offside system, which is being operated by the Premier League.
“It’s different to what we see in Europe, and I don’t think it’s delivering the accuracy to officials. Here, I think they erred on the side of caution, giving the goal, rather than chalking off.
“Looking at the video clip and the still photograph, it looks as though he should have been ruled offside. I’m looking forward to the change in the offside law.”