LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze had his impressive free-kick goal against Chelsea ruled out during a tense match at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2023. The strike, which seemed to give Palace a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute, was met with jubilation from the travelling fans. However, the celebrations were short-lived as VAR official James Bell alerted referee Darren England to a potential foul.
The controversy stemmed from an incident involving Palace defender Marc Guehi. Upon reviewing the play through the on-field monitor, England determined that Guehi had infringed upon the rules by pushing Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo in a bid to create space for Eze’s shot. The referee confirmed that Guehi was less than one meter from the Chelsea wall when the free-kick was taken, leading to the disallowed goal. He stated, “After review, the Crystal Palace No. 6 [Guehi] 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 decision has reignited discussions about consistency in officiating, particularly regarding set-piece situations. In a notable comparison, Chelsea had a similar incident last season during a match against Bournemouth, where a goal scored by Reece James stood despite two Chelsea players being within one meter of the wall. Critics argue that this inconsistency undermines the integrity of the game.
Following the match, Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed his frustration over the ruling. He emphasized the need for clearer guidelines on the distance players are permitted to stand from the wall during set-pieces. “I know we have to be one yard away from the wall,” he said. “But the Premier League has to be careful when they disallow these kinds of goals. In every direct free-kick, there are blocks somewhere around the wall.”
Glasner acknowledged the cautious approach to VAR in England, appreciating its role in supporting referees’ decisions. He added, “My great team, who is always watching all the set-plays, will watch it again and find a solution so that in the next case it won’t happen again that the goal is disallowed, and then we can celebrate and hopefully win.”
The disallowed goal has left fans and analysts questioning whether the officials made the right call, highlighting the ongoing debate over VAR’s impact in football. As teams aim to adapt to the evolving rules and interpretations, the focus remains on achieving greater consistency in officiating standards across the Premier League.
As the season progresses, matches like this one serve as a reminder of the fine margins that can define outcomes in football. The incident has sparked discussion about the balance between enforcing rules and allowing the game to flow, a challenge that continues to engage players, coaches, and supporters alike.
