Gary Lineker calls for rule change after major controversy in Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Man Utd
Gary Lineker calls for rule change after major controversy in Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Man Utd
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GARY LINEKER has called for a rule change after Gabriel Martinelli's goal against Manchester United was disallowed. The forward thought he had put his side 1-0 up in the FA Cup third round clash, only to see the linesman's flag raised. Replays showed Martinelli was some yards offside with the only controversy being the fact United defender Harry Maguire had the last touch.
![[Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-arsenals-gabriel-martinelli-celebrates-963274152_90e552.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The England defender was deemed not to have taken a deliberate touch however, so the referee allowed the decision to stand. Lineker discussed the incident on BBC's coverage of the clash and pointed to the rulebook to explain why the correct decision was made.
![[Gary Lineker holding a BBC Sport microphone.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/file-photo-dated-21-03-948556250.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Despite agreeing with the verdict, Lineker suggested a rule change that could avoid confusion in the future. He said: “Now, we understand they have given that (offside) because Harry Maguire is not in control of the ball, but you could argue, of course, that he should have been.
“Here are the four things about when a player is uncontrolled. The ball travelled from a short distance or the player doesn’t have a clear view of it. Neither of those apply. The ball was moving quickly. Well, it wasn’t. The direction of the ball was unexpected. It wasn’t.
“And, the player had limited or no time to coordinate their body movement. You could possibly make an argument on that, but we understand why it’s not given. “Now, why don’t they (the FA) just say all deflections in those circumstances are offside? Rather than this ambiguous nature of uncontrolled and controlled and all that.”.
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