Anthony Taylor has been scrutinised by Arsenal fans and pundits after positioning their defensive wall more than 10 yards away from the free-kick Bruno Fernandes scored on Sunday
Dermot Gallagher has defended Anthony Taylor after he was scrutinised for sending Arsenal players more than 10 yards back from the free-kick Bruno Fernandes scored for Manchester United on Sunday.
The Red Devils captain beat David Raya from distance in first half stoppage time to break the deadlock at Old Trafford in style.
However, it was later revealed that the defensive wall was set 11.2 yards away from Fernandes by Taylor rather than the regular 10 yards.
The incident became a big talking point both during and after the game, which finished 1-1 after Declan Rice equalised for Arsenal. But Gallagher says Taylor may have factored in that players tend to try and nudge forward after analysing his actions on the day.
“The referee felt it was ten yards and in fairness to him, the law says minimum of ten yards. It doesn’t say they can’t go back 11,” Gallagher said on Sky Sports.
“He may have factored in that when a free kick is taken, the wall moves forward anyhow so by the time the free kick is taken, it’s closer to ten. I’m not sure the calibration [of the measurement] is right anyhow, but Anthony Taylor will have his system of measuring ten yards.
“The pitch is cut in six yard sections and looking at the pictures, it doesn’t look to be much of ten yards when you see it.
“There are guides for referees to help them.”
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While Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn on the incident after Sunday’s draw at Old Trafford, Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen admitted that players did notice that the wall felt further back than usual.
When the Dane was asked about Fernandes’ free-kick, he said with a smile: “Very good, happy that the wall was about 15 metres away. You saw how far back they were and it was beneficial for us.
“We felt relief from the fans in the stadium after the goal.”
Arsenal remain second in the Premier League but are now 15 points behind Liverpool in the title race while United are 14th in the league table.
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