FANS were insistent Gabriel Jesus should have been able to retake his saved penalty against Sheffield United – but here’s the reason he wasn’t able to.
Despite Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson clearly being off the line when he blocked the shot, VAR did not intervene and instead left it to the referee.
Dean Henderson saves Gabriel Jesus’ first-half penaltyCredit: PA:Press Association
Henderson was clearly off his line when he saved the penalty
Rules state a goalkeeper MUST have part of one foot on the line when the penalty is taken.
A number of spot-kicks were retaken at the Women’s World Cup during the summer due to the same circumstances.
So why not this time?
Ahead of the season, Professional Game Match Officials Limited decided to leave goalkeeper encroachment to on-field referees following the chaos it all caused during the Women’s World Cup.
Despite FIFA not agreeing with the decision, saying the rules should be ”the same all over the world”, the Premier League have stood their ground and leave it up to on-field officials to decide.
Man City went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to Sergio Aguero’s second-half tap-in.
Following the win, City boss Pep Guardiola spoke about the missed penalty and plans to conduct a review into his team’s spot-kick takers.
It comes after watching his side miss for the third time this season.
PEN PROBLEMS
Jesus has now missed three of his last five spot kicks in the Premier League.
Although Guardiola previously let players decide who would step up to the plate, he now says he will have to take control and make changes if City are going to remain with a chance of winning any silverware.
He even suggested goalkeeper Ederson might be the man to step up.
Guardiola said: “Ederson is the best taker we have.
“He has no blood in in his veins. He is so calm, he could do it.
”I have to reflect on it. I always give confidence to the players to take it, but maybe I have to take the decision which guy is going to take it”.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
