Italian Refereeing Chief: Van Nistelrooy Goal Legitimate
The president of the Italian referee association (AIA), Cesare Gussoni, believes that Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s opener was legitimate despite a massive claim for offside.
The Real Madrid striker pounced on a razor sharp cross from Sneijder to tap in from close range.
Replay’s can clearly show the player in an offside position but Italy defender Christian Panucci was deemed by the linesman to have played Van Nistelrooy onside even though the stopper was off the pitch and down on the touchline with what seemed like an injury.
Nevertheless, the goal stood and Gussoni believes it was legitimate despite the whole of Italy going berzerk when it was allowed to stand.
“The linesman applied UEFA’s ruling 100 per cent,” said Gussoni.
“He evaluated Panucci’s position as the player who kept Van Nistelrooy onside.
“I thought it was offside but the replay showed Panucci off the pitch.”
The rules specify on whether or not a player leaves the field voluntarily or involuntarily in an attempt to play the striker offside.
But, in Panucci’s case, it is impossible to tell whether he left the pitch voluntarily or vice-versa.
“The sense of the rule is to avoid players leaving the pitch on purpose in an attempt to gain an advantage from playing the other player offside,” said Gussoni.
“Besides, Italy lost the game by more than one goal regardless of extrinsic factors.”
Italy were woeful on the night but they still have two life lines against Romania and France as they attempt to keep their Euro hopes alive in the group of death.
Buy on AliExpress.com
