Eberechi Eze's first goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the recent North London derby sparked considerable debate, but here's why it was allowed to stand. The goal was subject to a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check due to the presence of Arsenal players in offside positions during the build-up. Despite the offside players, VAR determined that they did not directly impact play.

VAR Protocol and Offside Rule

The VAR protocol in the Premier League adheres to the principle of "minimum interference – maximum benefit", intervening only for "clear and obvious errors" or "serious missed incidents" in specific situations, including goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity. Factual decisions, such as offsides, aren't subject to the "clear and obvious" test; VAR can intervene if an error is spotted, regardless of how marginal it is.

In offside situations, assistant referees are instructed to delay raising their flag when an immediate goal-scoring opportunity is likely, waiting until the play concludes. This allows VAR to review the play fully if a goal is scored.

The Key Decision

The crux of the decision to allow Eze's goal rested on whether the offside players interfered with play. According to the Laws of the Game, a player in an offside position is only penalized if they are actively involved in the play by:

• Interfering with play: Playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a teammate.
• Interfering with an opponent: Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by obstructing their vision, challenging for the ball, or clearly attempting to play a ball close to them.

In Eze's goal, VAR officials would have assessed whether the offside players obstructed the goalkeeper's vision or directly challenged a defender for the ball, impacting their ability to play it. Since VAR concluded that the offside players did not meet these criteria, the goal was deemed valid. The Premier League has also released a statement to explain the controversial decision to allow Eze's goal, further clarifying the reasoning behind the ruling.

Controversies and Rule Interpretations

Offside rules have long been a source of contention in football, with interpretations evolving over time. In the past, even marginal offside calls, determined by the thickness of a hair, led to disallowed goals. Recent adjustments to the guidelines have reintroduced the "benefit of the doubt" to the attacking player in close offside situations.

VAR in the Premier League

VAR was introduced in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season after clubs voted in favor of the system. All Premier League matches have a VAR, who works with an Assistant VAR to monitor the match constantly. The final decision is always taken by the on-field referee. In 2018/19, before VAR was introduced, 82% of key match decisions were correct. With VAR in 2019/20, that percentage rose to 94%.

The decision to allow Eberechi Eze’s goal highlights the complexities and constant scrutiny surrounding the offside rule and VAR's application. While the decision may have been controversial, it was ultimately made in accordance with the Laws of the Game and the established VAR protocol.