Why Saha goal row means it must be time for TV replays

By John Cross

Published 22:57 02/02/11

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You know there is something wrong in football when people complain about how the decision is made even when it is correct.

Louis Saha scored against Arsenal, even though the Everton striker was standing in an offside position.

The replay was shown on the big screen. Referee Lee Mason appeared to see Saha was offside so quickly ran across to his assistant Stephen Child to double check.

At this point, a press colleague screamed in horror: "He can't do that. Now, if he consults with the fourth official who can see his monitor then that's not allowed."

Er, so never mind that the referee was endeavouring to get it right, the rules stipulate he's only allowed to get it right if he plays by the rule book.

The world has gone mad. The sooner TV evidence comes in the better.

Grey areas must be kicked out, too. That offside was open to interpretation. So, don't tell me who is right and who is wrong. Both are.

It comes down to whether Laurent Koscielny meant to play the ball or not. If he did, then Saha was onside under the nonsense "second phase" rule. If he didn't, then he's just plain offside.

Then again, Koscielny wouldn't have played it at all unless Saha was standing there.

What a joke.

The sooner the offside rule is made black and white rather than grey the better.

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