The Premier League has stated that Christian Benteke’s winner for Liverpool against Bournemouth, should have been chalked off.
Benteke’s close-range finish at Anfield, was allowed to stand by referee Craig Pawson, despite team-mate Phillipe Coutinho attempting to play the ball while in an offside position.
The decision was criticized by several football observers and pundits, as it went againt the new offside rule implemented this summer.
Reacting to the issue, the League said it does “not generally comment on decisions made by match officials” but the expected outcome of Monday’s incident should have been an offside decision against Coutinho.
The findings read: “Clear attempt to play the ball by Red 10 [Coutinho] (stretches with right leg in an attempt to play the ball), no contact is made with the ball, but the ball is close to Red 10.
“Red10’s actions impact on an opponent, in this case the goalkeeper (goalkeeper needs to delay his action to wait and see if the attacking player in an offside position touches/plays the ball).
“Expected outcome: Offside offence.”
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