FIFA PRESIDENTS CONFIRMED THAT MARTINELLI GOAL WASN’T OFFSIDE Exclusive: Concerns as VAR accuracy in doubt on Arsenal v Crystal Palace controversy

Gabriel Martinelli’s disallowed goal for Arsenal against Crystal Palace has caused doubts over the use of VAR for Keith Hackett.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Michael Salisbury was “let down” by his assistant on the incident after officiating a good game himself.

Newcastle Found ‘Headline Signing’ With Champions League Money…

Conscious of their upcoming Champions League clash with PSG, Mikel Arteta chose to rest several players, including Bukayo Saka as he continues his recovery from injury, and breakout star Ethan Nwaneri.

The Gunners took an early lead, thanks to a delightful header from Jakub Kiwior in the third minute, before a stunning set-piece routine allowed Arsenal target Eberechi Eze to net an equaliser on the half-hour mark.

Arteta’s men restored their lead through Leandro Trossard, before a horrible mistake from William Saliba allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta to score a fabulous chip to give Palace a point.

However, an incident in the 70th minute that may have been the Gunners out of sight raised concerns about the VAR process.

Gabriel Martinelli had a goal ruled out against Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace loanee Ben Chilwell shares ‘next chapter’ message as

Gabriel Martinelli goal initially ruled out for offside

With Arsenal leading 2-1 going into the final 20 minutes of the game, the ball was played through for right-back Jurrien Timber.

Struggling to reach a bouncing pass, the Dutchman was able to hook a cross back into the box, which was dutifully tapped in from close range by Gabriel Martinelli.

However, a flag was raised immediately for offside, causing Salisbury to award the visitors a free-kick.

VAR then intervened, and on review, Timber was clearly onside, yet the goal was still chalked off as replays showed the ball had seemingly crossed the touchline before the cross made it into the box.

Whilst it appeared the correct decision was reached, the assistant referee’s decision to immediately raise his flag for offside goes against what has been seen in recent seasons, with assistants delaying the process to give VAR the opportunity to intervene if necessary, while Hackett was weary that the final outcome may have been the result of a “guess”.

Jurrien Timber was in fine form for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.

Keith Hackett analyses Arsenal’s disallowed goal

Having analysed the footage of both the goal, and VAR’s decision-making process, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett exclusively told Football Insider he was unconvinced by the whole ordeal, saying: “Frankly, the decision-making process from the assistant referee leaves much to be desired.

“Firstly, he should have delayed his offside flag and continued his run towards the corner flag to take up a position to determine if the ball was out of play.

“We know that goal line technology only operates within the goal posts and not corner flag to corner flag right along the touchline.

“Was the semi-automated offside system in operation, and is it this technology that determined if the ball was out of play before it was crossed?

“I am not convinced that how they came to this decision was accurate to determine the ball had gone out of play.

“At this level of the game, you do not guess.

“Incidentally, I thought referee Salisbury officiated this game well.

“His colleague, I feel, let him down, and VAR was used as a life belt to get to a scram

Rangers to take ‘very different route’ from Ferguson amid Mourinho, Gerrard link

Rangers’s new sporting director Kevin Thelwell will “go down a very different route” with his choice of a new boss at Ibrox, according to Kris Boyd.

The Bears are set for a summer of upheaval with a new manager, and new management.

Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises’ prospective takeover could be completed in the next few weeks, and look set to acquire the necessary 51% of shares to take control of the Ibrox boardroom.

Whilst there is clarity emerging on the ownership at Ibrox, the choice of manager remains up in the air with plenty of names, such as Sean Dyche, Russell Martin, Jose Mourinho, and Steven Gerrard all linked with the Rangers job.

Thelwell was only confirmed as the Bears’ new sporting director [Rangers] on Wednesday (23 April), but Boyd wrote in his column for The Sun he thinks the former Everton man will go against the incumbent with his choice of new manager.