Keith Hackett has insisted the “stupid” offside laws are to blame for the controversy surrounding Mohamed Salah’s goal for Liverpool during their 2-2 FA Cup draw with Wolves on Saturday (7 January).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted match official Andy Madley and VAR official Mike Dean were “100% spot on” to award the goal under the current laws.
As seen in footage from the ITV Football Twitter account (7 January), Salah latched on to a poor defensive header from Wolves defender Toti Gomes to slot past Jose Sa and give Liverpool a 2-1 lead
Mo Salah puts Liverpool in front!
Cody Gakpo's cross came off the head of Toti and found the Egyptian with loads of time to finish 👏@EmiratesFACup | #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/TJg1A1kLSi
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 7, 2023
The Reds superstar was in an offside position when played in by Cody Gakpo, but the goal was allowed to stand as Gomes was adjudged to have made a “deliberate play” at the ball.
Fans and pundits alike argued that the Wolves ace would not have attempted to play the ball if Salah wasn’t in the equation.
The two sides will face off in a replay at Molineux on 17 January for a place in the FA Cup fourth round against Brighton.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “From minute one when they introduced the new guidance on deliberate play, I was against it.
“The IFAB have tried to clarify it.
“Salah is in an offside position, but he’s not offended. Being in an offside position, in this case, is not an offence. This is what we have to get across to the fans.
“Under the laws of the game, the match officials have got it 100% spot on. You just have to laugh at how stupid the law is.
“The grey area is down to the referee, and what he determines as a deliberate play.
“Would the defender have headed the ball if Salah didn’t impact his decision-making? We don’t know, but it’s likely.
“I think Salah’s position should have made him offside, but that’s not the law. That is what has to change.”
In other news, pundit issues emphatic verdict on Andy Robertson ban as “nasty” Liverpool footage emerges.
