Premier League admit mistake over offside Liverpool goal against Bournemouth

Christian Benteke celebrates his goal against Bournemouth

THE Premier League have admitted referee Craig Pawson and his assistants made a mistake in not ruling Christian Benteke's goal for Liverpool against Bournemouth offside.

 

Benteke scored a controversial winner on Monday night when he tapped in a cross from Jordan Henderson.

Philippe Coutinho, was in an offside position but attempted to play the ball and under a new directive a player in an offside position who attempts to play the ball is no longer deemed as "passive" and has to be penalised.

 

Following the match, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe slammed the decision.

He said: "As for their goal, I was expecting a flag because it was clearly offside under the new rules.

"The goalkeeper was affected by the movement in front of him. The goalscorer's not offside but the other player, Coutinho is. It wasn't even a tough call."

 

Philippe Coutinho (circled) is standing in an offside position

The Premier League revealed it has written to all clubs to clarify the new interpretation of the offside law and confirmed that Benteke's goal should not have stood.

The statement read: "The Premier League does not generally comment on decisions made by match officials. 

"However, given the recent change to the interpretation of the offside law and the fact that it was made close to the start of the season, the League felt it was appropriate, in this instance, to publish in order to inform fans and other stakeholders."

Referees' chief Mike Riley says the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport's law making body, introduced a change meaning anybody in an offside position making a play for the ball, being close to the ball or having an impact on an opponent would be deemed offside - even if they did not make contact.