Former Villa midfielder warns a precedent has been set for the season
Eberechi Eze strikes home a free-kick for Crystal Palace against Chelsea but Marc Guehi is accused of being too close to the wall and the goal was disallowed.
Eberechi Eze strikes home a free-kick for Crystal Palace against Chelsea but Marc Guehi is accused of being too close to the wall and the goal was disallowed.
(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa's free-kick experts will have been watching with interest as Premier League officials started the new season with a new clampdown.
It is a major skill to find the top corner from 30 yards but players will have seen that referees are now taking a close eye on what their teammates are up to as they line up a shot or cross.
Premier League spectators and particularly Crystal Palace supporters were left stunned when Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed when he hit a direct free-kick into the top corner against Chelsea. Marc Guehi was accused of being too close to the Chelsea wall and ref Darren England made the decision after consultation with VAR.
It has forced PGMOL, the referee body, to point to a rule introduced in 2019 that attacking players must remain at least 1m away from a wall until the ball is in play, if the wall involves three or more defending players.
Former Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, watching on at Stamford Bridge for the BBC, warned free-kick takers up and down the land that a precedent had been set for the year.
He said before the goal was overturned: "That is worthy of seeing a replay. The sheer power and velocity took it past Robert Sanchez. Eberechi Eze only had one thought in his head. He elected to go for power, and it went in the back of the net."
He added, when the decision was made: "How many times have we seen that in the past where there's blocking? If that is the precedent set on the opening weekend it has to stay for the season."
Chelsea set piece coach Bernardo Cueva had apparently jumped up to remonstrate with fourth official Michael Salisbury as the ball hit the net.
But Crystal Palace fans were left chanting: "It's not football anymore."
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