Anfield madness provides throwback to Epoupa saga

From Page 12

matter if the ball does not go where the defender intended, if he played the ball deliberately then the Law does not exist to “save” his poor play. In simple terms a “deflection” is when the player does not move towards the ball or make an attempt to play it (in effect he is “hit” by the ball.

Two days later, after reviewing television footage of the disputed goal supplied by this newspaper, Elleray said it was inconclusive to determine whether the goal should have stood or disallowed for offside.

He presented the amended regulations to FIFA in March last year and, given his extensive experience as a referee and the work he has undertaken in revising the laws of the game since became the IFAB technical director, the Englishman is the most qualified expert in the world to pronounce judgment on any incident related to refereeing in the world football.

According to Elleray, what remains crucial — in the determination of whether Ntoupa was — is whether there was an attempt by the defender Peter Muduhwa to block the ball from Elisha Muroiwa, and if his foot moved, or didn’t move towards the ball.

‘’Thank you very much for the further information and the clip,’’ Elleray said.

“Unfortunately, the angle of the footage means it does not show whether the contact with the defender’s leg/foot is a result of the player moving his leg /foot towards the ball or not.

“If he moved his foot towards the ball then it would be deliberate play and thus not offside. If he does not make that movement, given that the ball is hit quite hard and from short distance, then it would be a deflection and thus offside.’’