GARY NEVILLE has already had enough of the new offside rules after watching Chelsea’s season opener at Stamford Bridge.
Blues striker Nicolas Jackson looked to have strayed past the last defender as he raced through on the Manchester City goal.
But the linesman was forced to wait until the Blues had finished attacking before he could raise his flag.
As Chelsea lay siege to the City goal, Neville grew increasingly frustrated.
And after a wayward cross finally allowed the official to raise his arm, he moaned that it had “taken 14 days.”
Replays then showed that Jackson was a yard offside and Pep Guardiola was picked up ranting at the fourth official.
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The matchday team followed their instructions to the letter, so the City boss would be better off taking it up with the FA.
For once, football fans were in agreement on social media.
One wrote: “Ridiculous rule.”
Another added: “Stupid waste of time. Let it go on for a 100 years when Jackson was blatantly offside. Meanwhile in other matches referees blow way earlier than expected. PL officials really the worst ever.”
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A third posted: “Jackson was about 2 yards offside and the game has gone on for 30 seconds. Absolutely pathetic.”
Jackson’s battle with the offside line continued as he thought he had cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener before the break.
Cole Palmer’s effort was uncharacteristically spilled by Ederson and the striker pounced to finish.
The flag went up again – immediately this time – and City went into the break 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans were not impressed with Jackson’s failure to keep himself onside.
One wrote: “Nicolas Jackson was born offside.”
A second quipped: “Jackson actually scored while being offside this time, that’s progress.”
A third moaned: “Chelsea coaches need to train Nicholas Jackson on the offside rule. This is annoying.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
