Liverpool receive final verdict after furious Florian Wirtz complaint lodged
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Liverpool Receive Final Verdict After Furious Florian Wirtz Complaint Lodged
In a heated Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, Liverpool's Florian Wirtz scored a controversial equalizer in their 2-2 draw against Fulham, sparking outrage from the hosts and prompting an official complaint to the league's referees' body.
Fulham took the lead through Harry Wilson, but Liverpool fought back with goals from Wirtz and Cody Gakpo. Wirtz swept home to level the score, yet he didn't celebrate, later admitting to Sky Sports: "I was certain it was offside, so I didn’t celebrate. I was pleased to score, but I would have preferred to secure three points."[1]
Flagged offside initially, VAR intervention upheld the goal after a lengthy check. The decision hinged on the Premier League's 5cm tolerance margin for offside calls, in place since the 2021-22 season—a policy allowing leeway up to five centimeters, unlike the Champions League's millimeter precision.[1][3] Wirtz's foot fell within the "green line," deemed onside by officials.[1]
Fulham manager Marco Silva was incensed, labeling the goal "clearly offside" and contacting the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) to challenge it. "It was a moment when we lost possession. We need to be more cautious," Silva said, insisting his side deserved more than a point salvaged by Harrison Reed's stunning stoppage-time strike.[1][2]
Pundits weighed in: Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher expressed disbelief, noting the penalty spot reference made it look offside.[1] BBC Sport highlighted three key frames, with VAR selecting one showing Wirtz marginally onside—appearing "more offside" in broadcast imagery.[2]
Sky Sports debates clarified the 5cm rule, established over four years ago with club agreement, though not formally publicized, fueling fan confusion.[3] Liverpool icon Carragher questioned the optics, but the "final verdict" stands: the goal is valid, leaving Fulham's protest unresolved amid ongoing VAR scrutiny.
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