Assistant referee in bizarre reaction after awarding Tottenham controversial penalty in draw at Liverpool – leaving fans baffled
Eddie Smart played a key role in awarding Spurs their first spot-kick after spotting Harry Kane was onside before Loris Karius foul
FOOTBALL fans are baffled as to why Premier League assistant referee Eddie Smart's bizarre reaction after handing Tottenham a controversial penalty.
On 87 minutes, Liverpool keeper Loris Karius was penalised for taking Harry Kane down in the penalty box.
But it seemed like the England striker – at the time in search of his 100th Premier League goal – was in an offside position when the ball was played.
Smart spotted that Dejan Lovren hacked away at the ball, in an attempted clearance, but inadvertently helped the ball on, making Kane’s run legal.
Jon Moss only awarded the penalty after a lengthy chat with Smart and ex-official Dermot Gallagher explained on Sky Sports why he got the call correct – but not why he seemed to pump his fist.
Gallagher said: "The first penalty is very interesting. Kane is in an offside position and Lovren has the chance to clear the ball and takes a chance.
"He has an ample opportunity to clear it. He doesn't clear it and he's clearly hit the ball. The ball comes through to Kane who is now not offside, as the law states.
"I thought it was excellent because you can quite clearly hear Eddie Smart say to Jon Moss, ‘I don't know if he's played the ball’.
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"It might have taken a bit of time but at the end they came to the right decision and both officials should be applauded. Lovren miskicks the ball so Kane is therefore onside.
"The conversation afterwards reinforces the communication on the day with referee and assistant working together."
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And Jurgen Klopp ripped into the officials for their performances, the German said: “It was clear two sides high quality both wanted to win desperately, but the result was massively influenced by linesman decisions. We have to take it, that's how it is.
“I am not allowed to go in their room until half an hour after.
“It was clear offside, unbelievable, I don't know what they were discussing.
“I don’t understand either of the penalty situations. The first one was offside.”