Premier League fans fume at huge controversy in Chelsea vs Crystal Palace – ‘Football is finished’

Eberechi Eze thought he’d given Crystal Palace the lead versus Chelsea before he saw his free-kick chalked off at Stamford Bridge which caused some outrage for fans at home

Football fans have been left in shock after Eberechi Eze’s thunderous strike against Chelsea was ruled out. Crystal Palace appeared to have taken the lead against the Blues at Stamford Bridge before VAR intervened to rule out his effort.

Eze, linked with a move to Tottenham this month, stepped up from a free-kick to produced a rocket of a shot that beat Robert Sanchez for pace with the scores goalless. The Eagles were sent into raptures as they found the net having been put under pressure by their west London opponents.

But Marc Guehi, seen forcing Moises Caicedo out of the way of the shot’s route, was judged to have entered too close to the proximity of the wall and the goal was chalked off. Referee Darren England was sent to the monitor and ruled out the strike.

The official announced his explanation to the stadium and those watching at home. After rewatching the footage, England said: “After review, away number six [Guehi] is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal”.

It was a decision and rule that left viewers around the world confused, with many having not come across the rule before.

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim makes brutal Rasmus Hojlund decision for Man Utd vs ArsenalREAD MORE: PGMOL issue statement after Eberechi Eze’s goal vs Chelsea controversially ruled out after VAR

“There are times when you ask in football where you ask if something is right or wrong,” said Chris Sutton on Sky Sports. “And that just seems mightily, mightily harsh.”

“Is that a new rule about being too close to the wall?” said one fan. “Because I can’t remember a single goal being chalked off for that, like ever?”

“Horrific decision,” added another. “A reminder that ‘a wall’ is not actually defined in the rules anywhere. Being 1 yard away from something that isn’t defined is impossible”

“No way they just had a goal chalked off because he was too close to the wall but didn’t interfere with the wall itself??????” remarked another. “First time I’ve seen a free kick goal ruled for standing too close to a wall. Football is finished,” lamented on social media user.

“So Guehi was too close to the Chelsea wall? So Caicedo’s lack of strength actually benefited them there,” another said. “What a horrendous decision. No Chelsea player was complaining.”

“I’ve never heard of the rule of a player needing to be more than 1 meter away from a wall, as it’s rarely been applied since it was introduced,” said a further fan. “Very confusing when VAR says checking for foul”

Another offered: “1. When was the last time you saw that rule enforced? 2. Will it ever be enforced again?”

A further confused spectator said: “So it’s because he was too close to the wall, but the ball didnt go near the wall… so how’s Guehi impacted anything? Refereeing in this country is an absolute mess.”

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