With Florian Wirtz seemingly in an offside position when he scored in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw on Sunday, Fulham have contacted the PGMOL for an explanation.
Wirtz appeared to be fractionally offside when collecting Conor Bradley‘s pass for his equalising goal in Sunday’s clash at Fulham, but a lengthy VAR review saw the goal given.
The Premier League‘s semi-automated offside technology cleared the 22-year-old of offside and it was later reported that this may have been due to a 5cm tolerance level for such decisions.
Fulham arguably deserved more than a draw despite only salvaging a point late on through Harrison Reed’s stunning strike.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: (L-R) Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and referee Craig Pawson awaiting the decision from the VAR check during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
And Marco Silva’s side have now made official contact with the PGMOL – English football’s refereeing body – to request an explanation for why Wirtz’s goal was given.
In his pre-match press conference ahead Fulham‘s clash with Chelsea this week, Silva spoke for almost three minutes on the subject, saying: “I cannot believe how that goal was allowed, it was a clear offside.”
“The goal should have been disallowed,” he told reporters including the Fulhamish podcast’s Jack Kelly, writing on X.
“Now, I have more images, different tools. For me, I cannot believe how that goal was allowed, it was a clear offside.
“We are still waiting for feedback from the Premier League. Everyone had the same opinion, it was clear. It’s much more than 5cm in my opinion.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scores his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Silva added: “Against Palace at home, our goal from Emile Smith Rowe was disallowed, it was not 5cm, probably half the nail of Chukwueze.
“The goal was disallowed, what’s happened to this game? The tolerance was not spoken about then.
“I believe at the end of the season, everything should be balanced.
“Everyone remembers what happened at Stamford Bridge (when Fulham‘s Josh King was denied a goal for a foul in the buildup which PGMOL later admitted was a mistake) and it happened again on Sunday.
“Everything comes from VAR decisions.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 4, 2026: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz (R) celebrates scoring his side's equalising goal to level the game at 1-1 during the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Speaking after the game, Wirtz himself expressed surprise that the goal was cleared, admitting that was why he “didn’t even celebrate.”
“I was sure it was offside,” Liverpool’s No. 7 told Sky Sports.
FAQ: Florian Wirtz VAR Decision vs. Fulham
Why was Florian Wirtz’s goal given against Fulham?
Despite appearing offside to the naked eye, the Premier League’s semi-automated offside technology cleared Wirtz to score. Reports suggest the goal stood due to a 5cm tolerance level built into the 2025/26 VAR protocols for marginal decisions.
Have Fulham contacted the PGMOL?
Yes. Marco Silva confirmed that Fulham have made official contact with the PGMOL to request a formal explanation. Silva cited a previous disallowed goal for Emile Smith Rowe as evidence of inconsistent application of the “tolerance” rule.
What did Florian Wirtz say about the offside decision?
Following the 2-2 draw, Wirtz admitted his own surprise, stating he “didn’t even celebrate” because he was convinced he was in an offside position when receiving Conor Bradley‘s pass.