Gary Lineker calls for football law change after what happened in Arsenal vs Man United FA Cup clash
Today at 12:55 PM
Arsenal and Manchester United played out an entertaining FA Cup third round tie at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
A fine finish from Bruno Fernandes put the Red Devils 1-0 up in the 52nd minute, although the FA Cup clash was quickly turned upside down after Diogo Dalot picked up a second yellow card in the 61st minute.
Gabriel Magalhaes then equalised for Arsenal just moments later in the 63rd minute to make Manchester United pay – although the Red Devils impressively reigned supreme after a penalty shootout.
Before this all happened – however – Gabriel Martinelli saw a goal disallowed for offside, despite the ball taking a touch off Harry Maguire on the way through to the Brazil international.
That was because the Manchester United No.5 was not deemed to have taken a deliberate touch – with the ball instead simply deflecting off him into the South American’s path.
After witnessing that moment, Gary Lineker has called for the Football Association (FA) to make a change to the rulebook.
Gary Lineker suggests FA change the rules after Gabriel Martinelli’s disallowed goal
Speaking about this moment at the interval on BBC One, the 64-year-old said: “Now, we understand they have given that (offside) because Harry Maguire is not in control of the ball, but you could argue, of course, that he should have been.
“Here are the four things about when a player is uncontrolled. The ball travelled from a short distance or the player doesn't have a clear view of it. Neither of those apply. The ball was moving quickly. Well, it wasn't. The direction of the ball was unexpected. It wasn't. And, the player had limited or no time to coordinate their body movement. You could possibly make an argument on that, but we understand why it's not given.
“Now, why don't they (the FA) just say all deflections in those circumstances are offside? Rather than this ambiguous nature of uncontrolled and controlled and all that.”
Lineker – who thinks Arsenal will finish second in the Premier League – is spot on.
Arsenal and Manchester United surely agree
Had VAR been in action during this FA Cup clash, there is no doubt we would have seen Andy Madley and his colleagues spend an age trying to decide whether Maguire meant to touch the ball.
That is – of course – a highly subjective matter, so it would certainly save the officials and fans alike plenty of time if the FA act on what Lineker has suggested, and make all deflections off an opposition player in this situation offside.
