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Fulham Seek PGMOL Explanation After VAR Clears Wirtz Offside Call Under 5cm Tolerance

The goal stands because the Premier League’s semi‑automated offside applies a 5cm margin of error that can award marginal decisions to attackers.

Overview

  • Wirtz’s equaliser at Craven Cottage was initially flagged offside but awarded on review after SAOT judged him within the league’s 5cm tolerance.
  • Fulham have formally contacted PGMOL to request clarity on the decision and are awaiting a response, with Marco Silva calling it a clear offside in his view.
  • Officials assess offside at the first point of contact on the pass, and SAOT tracking runs at higher frame rates than broadcast feeds, which can produce different freeze-frames.
  • The Premier League retained a 5cm tolerance when introducing SAOT to give attackers leeway, a policy not used in other major European leagues that dropped such margins.
  • Public criticism has intensified, with Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Jamie Carragher questioning the ruling and former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett saying the goal should have been disallowed.