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'MILES OFFSIDE'

Harry Maguire’s Man Utd winner vs Leicester should have been RULED OUT but allowed to stand thanks to FA Cup rule quirk

Find out why VAR wasn't in use
Screenshot of a soccer game, showing a free kick.

MANCHESTER UNITED's winning FA Cup goal against Leicester should NOT have stood.

But Harry Maguire's header in injury time to make it 2-1 was allowed to stand thanks to a rule quirk in the FA Cup.

Screenshot of a soccer game, showing a free kick.
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Harry Maguire was in a clear offside position
Harry Maguire of Manchester United scores a winning goal during an FA Cup match.
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He went on to head the ball into the back of the netCredit: Alamy

The Manchester United defender was well offside in the build-up to the goal.

But the linesman missed it, despite ITV commentator Lee Dixon describing it as "miles offside".

Normally, VAR would chalk it off, however the use of video technology is not being used in this round of the FA Cup.

It was decided that VAR would only come into use from the Fifth Round onwards.

Previously, VAR was used in the FA Cup in the third and fourth rounds, but only at Premier League stadiums "due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation."

The FA said in a statement: "Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will only be used in the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup from the Fifth Round onwards.

"It has been agreed that VAR will be utilised for every match in the Fifth Round of the competition through to the Final at Wembley Stadium, and will not be in operation for the Third and Fourth Rounds.

"VAR has only been used in the Emirates FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds due to the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation.

"This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition."

More to follow...

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