Premier League make announcement about major Wolves vs Nottingham Forest incident
Nottingham Forest emerged narrow victors against Wolves on Wednesday, with Igor Jesus scoring the only goal.
It was a match marred in controversy, with the visitors’ opening goal ruled out for offside after the video assistant referee had recommended a review.
Jesus had headed in from the corner, but Dan Ndoye had been adjudged to have been standing in the goalkeeper’s line of sight.
Nottingham Forest could have had a penalty when Morato was pulled down in the moments leading up to the goal, however.
Jesus would score in the second half to take the points and further strengthen Nottingham Forest’s resurgence since hiring Sean Dyche.
Premier League release statement on VAR controversy
Liverpool’s goal against Manchester City was disallowed due to offside last month, when Andy Robertson had been adjudged to have been standing in Gianluigi Donnarumma‘s line of sight.
The left-back had certainly been standing in the vicinity of the Italian, who could not reach Virgil van Dijk‘s header.
But whether Robertson had actually impacted the Manchester City goalkeeper or not, was widely disputed.
Several similar goals have been scored since, with Premier League referees’ usage of the ruling inconsistent, and sometimes confusing.
Jesus’ goal appeared a cut-and-dry decision; however, with Ndoye clearly obstructing the Wolves goalkeeper.
Premier League Match Centre clarified the decision, and announced: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the on-field decision of goal.
“Referee announcement: “After review, [Nottingham Forest] 14 is in an offside position, in line of vision of the goalkeeper. My final decision is no goal and offside, indirect free kick.”
Premier League must seek to further clarify boundaries
At times, the Premier League’s referees seem to be fighting against the rule book, with some decisions right on paper but clearly wrong in practice.
In the case of Jesus’ goal, and many more like it, the decision often seems to be far too subjective for what should be a fairly straightforward process.
Like many of the game’s rules, this one may well need further clarification from the Premier League and indeed the Football Association.
Whether fans and teams will ever see that clarification arrive, remains to be seen.