Maguire Man United Chelsea disallowed goal
Keith Hackett
Fri 16 May 2025 22:36, UK
Keith Hackett has called for a change to the offside law after Harry Maguire was denied an opening goal for Man United during their clash with Chelsea.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that goals being ruled out in such marginal offside decisions do not benefit the game.
Maguire has made a habit of coming up with important late goals for Man United recently, which have spared their blushes on several occasions this season.
But as his side faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Friday night (16 May), the centre-back was denied another strike at a much earlier stage of the game.
Keith Hackett
Keith Hackett has reacted to Harry Maguire’s disallowed goal at Chelsea
Harry Maguire misses out in narrow offside call
With 16 minutes on the clock, the England international thought he had put Rubern Amorim‘s team in front on the road.
Having stayed forward from a set-piece, Maguire was on hand to pounce and first a cross past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Harry Maguire vs Chelsea Total (SofaScore)
Accurate Passes 53/67
Duels Won 3/4
Clearances 2
Interceptions 1
Tackles 1
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
But after a VAR check involving the recently-introduced semi-automated offside system, the Man United ace saw his goal ruled off after he was shone to be fractionally ahead of the last defender.
FIFA technical director Arsene Wenger has suggested a change to the law which would require there to be daylight between the goalscorer and last man for a goal to be disallowed for offside.
Hackett admits the decision to rule out the goal was correct under the current interpretation of the law, he believes that ought to be changed to the sort of incarnation suggested by the former Arsenal boss.
Keith Hackett calls for change after Man United goal chalked off
Speaking to Football Insider about what he made of the decision to rule out that goal from Maguire, the former referee said:
“It is frankly detrimental to the game to have goals ruled out for a toe being offside. This decision to rule out the goal is in line with the current law.
“My view is that the law on offside needs to change and move towards the interpretation that is suggested by FIFA technical director Arsene Wenger and [give the] benefit of the doubt with [the need for] daylight between attacker and defender.”
That disallowed goal would prove costly for Maguire and his side, as Man United slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in their final game before their Europa League final against Tottenham.
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