Newcastle vs Arsenal: Why Was Newcastle Goal Allowed Against Arsenal?

Newcastle vs Arsenal: How VAR’s Decisions Allowed Newcastle’s Goal Against Arsenal

Understanding the Controversial Newcastle Goal

In a recent Premier League clash between Newcastle United and Arsenal, a crucial decision allowed Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand, sparking widespread debate. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review process took center stage as officials analyzed multiple factors, from potential fouls to offside positioning. Here, we dive into the key elements of the decision-making process, examining why VAR upheld the goal and what it means for future matches.

The Ball Position: Did It Cross the Goal Line?

A pivotal part of the decision revolved around whether the ball fully crossed the byline during a Newcastle attack. According to VAR rules, for the ball to be deemed “out of play,” the entire ball must cross the entire line.

Explanation of the VAR’s Ruling on the Ball Position

In this case, the VAR team reviewed video footage from several angles but couldn’t confirm if the entire ball had crossed the line. This ambiguity, coupled with the camera angles provided, made it impossible to definitively state that the ball was out of play. As a result, the play continued.

Gabriel’s Challenge: Was It a Foul by Joelinton?

Arsenal supporters voiced concerns about a possible foul on defender Gabriel by Newcastle’s Joelinton. Referee Stuart Attwell assessed the challenge on the pitch and did not call a foul. When the incident went to VAR, officials were tasked with identifying whether the level of contact was substantial enough to warrant overturning the on-field decision.

VAR’s Determination on the Foul

VAR officials determined that Joelinton’s contact with Gabriel did not reach the threshold needed to overturn Attwell’s decision. In essence, without clear evidence of excessive force or a clear foul, the on-field decision remained valid.

Was Gordon Offside? Analyzing the Offside Controversy

The VAR team checked if Gordon was offside when Joelinton last touched the ball. This step proved challenging because camera angles and video quality limited VAR’s ability to establish an accurate offside line.

The Limits of VAR in Determining Offside

Without a clear “start point” for drawing lines, VAR could not make a definitive offside ruling. Consequently, the ruling on the field stood, and Gordon’s goal was allowed. This incident underlined the limitations of current technology in capturing fine offside margins.

Summary of Key Factors That Allowed Newcastle’s Goal

1. Line Decision: No definitive evidence showed that the ball had fully crossed the byline, so the ball was deemed in play.
2. Challenge by Joelinton: The contact level was insufficient for VAR to overturn the on-field decision.
3. Offside: VAR’s inability to establish an offside line due to limited camera angles allowed the goal to stand.

This decision reflects the delicate balance officials must maintain between on-field rulings and technological assistance, especially when video evidence lacks clarity.

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FAQs

Q1: Why was there controversy around the Newcastle goal against Arsenal?

A1: The goal was contested because Arsenal fans believed the ball had gone out of play and that a foul had occurred on Gabriel before the goal. Additionally, some questioned if Gordon was offside.

Q2: How did VAR handle the potential foul on Gabriel?

A2: VAR reviewed the contact but did not find enough evidence to overturn the on-field decision, as it didn’t meet the threshold for a foul.

Q3: Why couldn’t VAR confirm if Gordon was offside?

A3: Due to limited camera angles and an unclear starting point, VAR could not draw the offside lines accurately, so the on-field decision stood.