Eberechi Eze’s goal for Crystal Palace against Chelsea was disallowed due to a lesser-known rule regarding the distance of attacking players from a defensive wall during a free kick.
Eberechi Eze’s goal for Crystal Palace against Chelsea was disallowed due to a lesser-known rule regarding the distance of attacking players from a defensive wall during a free kick. The incident occurred in the 13th minute of the match, with Eze scoring a thunderous free-kick that flew past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Reason for Disallowance
The goal was disallowed after VAR referee James Bell flagged an issue to on-field referee Darren England. The problem wasn’t with Eze’s strike, but rather with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi’s positioning. According to the laws of the game, when three or more defending team players form a ‘wall’, all attacking team players must remain at least 1 meter (1 yard) from the ‘wall’ until the ball is in play. Guehi was deemed to be less than 1 meter away from the Chelsea wall when Eze took the free kick, infringing this rule ¹.
Referee’s Explanation
After reviewing the footage, referee Darren England announced, “Away number 6 is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it’s an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal.” This explanation was made possible by a new rule in the 2025/26 Premier League season requiring referees to explain their decisions over the tannoy, aiming to reduce confusion over VAR decisions ².
Reactions
The decision sparked debate among pundits, with some questioning its harshness. Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton described it as “scandalous,” while former England right-back Micah Richards argued that the referees were simply applying the rules. Steve Sidwell, a former Chelsea midfielder, praised Eze’s strike but questioned the consistency of such decisions, noting that similar incidents in the past haven’t always resulted in goals being disallowed ³.
Implications
The disallowed goal meant the match remained goalless at halftime, with Chelsea using the setback as motivation to regain a foothold in the game. The decision also highlighted the importance of understanding the rules and their application in high-pressure situations ⁴.
