PGMOL clarify reason Eberechi Eze’s goal was disallowed for Crystal Palace vs Chelsea

The PGMOL have explained why Eberechi Eze’s strike for Crystal Palace against Chelsea was disallowed. The forward, 27, unleashed a thunderous free-kick beyond Robert Sanchez during the opening period at Stamford Bridge, appearing to give Palace a 1-0 advantage.

However, a lengthy VAR review followed and the goal was subsequently ruled out. Officials at Stockley Park determined that Eagles centre-back Marc Guehi was ‘less than one metre away from the Chelsea wall’ when the shot was fired.

A statement from the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X said: “After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Crystal Palace. Referee announcement: ‘After review, away number six is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal’.”

The regulation stipulates that until the ball is in play, all opponents must stay either at least 9.15m (10 yards) from the ball, unless they’re on their own goal line between the goalposts, and outside the penalty area for free-kicks inside the opponents’ penalty area.

Where three or more opponents are in the wall, all attackers must be at least 1m (1 yard) from the wall until the ball is in play.

Palace supporters roared ‘it’s not football anymore’ following confirmation that Eze’s effort had been chalked off.

It contributes to a hectic few days for VAR during the opening weekend of the new Premier League campaign, with a controversial moment during Liverpool’s 4-2 victory against Bournemouth also generating significant discussion.

Chelsea’s set-piece coach, Bernardo Cueva, was spotted arguing with fourth official Michael Salisbury immediately after Eze’s goal.

Cueva took issue with Guehi’s action of shoving Moises Caicedo aside. However, it wasn’t the push that led to the goal being disallowed, but rather Guehi’s position.

“This would be scandalous if it is ruled out,” Sky Sports commentator Chris Sutton remarked before being made aware exactly what the issue was. “It seems extremely harsh.”