Wubi News

'A big problem' - did VAR get Southampton's disallowed goal wrong?

2024-11-30 15:00:12
Cameron Archer (number 19) appeared to have put Southampton in front after 67 minutes against Brighton

Fraser's brilliant cross from the left was tapped home at the far post by Archer as Southampton looked to have completed an unlikely turnaround.

The assistant referee did actually flag for offside, but it was extremely tight and VAR subsequently spent several minutes checking Archer's position, with the Saints forward eventually being ruled onside by the barest of margins.

However, that was not the end of it.

There was then a further check to decide whether Armstrong, who was clearly offside at the near post, had interfered with play as the ball came in.

The forward had overrun in trying to meet the cross, but flicked out a leg behind him, albeit not seeming to connect with the ball.

However, although the cross had already gone past Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was rooted to his line, it was ruled that Armstrong's attempt to connect with the ball was significant enough for the goal to be ruled out.

Although Armstrong failed to touch the ball, according to Law 11 a player is deemed to be offside if they are interfering with an opponent by:

According to the Premier League, Archer's goal was chalked off because "Armstrong was in an offside position and deemed to be impacting Verbruggen's ability to play the ball".

Martin and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler squared up to each other at the end of the match at Amex Stadium, as both bosses accused each other of a lack of respect.

After 13 minutes of added time, partly because of the break in play caused by VAR, both benches became embroiled in arguments.

The managers were booked during the match - Hurzeler for waving an imaginary yellow card in the first half. It was his third caution of the season, meaning he will serve a touchline ban when Brighton travel to Fulham in midweek.

Martin was shown a card for his reaction to more protesting from the Brighton boss after a foul by Downes, who was already on a yellow card before scoring Southampton's equaliser.

"That's exactly what I said at half-time," said Hurzeler of Downes. "Then he makes another foul.

"There's no explanation, it changes the game. But you have to be very careful what you say in England. My yellow card I can't understand."

On Martin, the German boss added: "For me it's just important to have respect. It's important to respect each other and how you talk to each other. That's how I was educated."

But Martin was clearly unimpressed and responded: "The manager decided to say something about respect. I've never known a manager try to get as many players booked as that. Respect is reciprocal. It's mutual."