Joe Hart had to explain bizarre rule on the pitch after disallowed goal in 2014

Joe Hart was forced to explain one of the football' most bizarre rules after a disallowed goal in QPR vs. Manchester City.

Charlie Austin had a goal ruled out after he pounced a mistake from Hart, who played the ball straight at his feet before seeing the forward smash a low finish past him.

The QPR man though he had put his side in the lead and wheeled away in celebration.

But the Man City goalkeeper immediately protested the goal and spoke to referee Mike Dean, with his appeal successful as the goal was chalked off.

Hart had inadvertently kicked the ball with his right foot onto his left and the double touch - coupled with the fact the ball did not leave the area - meant Austin's goal could not stand.

The free-kick was given after Austin had another goal disallowed for offside.

Law 13 in the rule book, specifically focusing on free-kicks, states: "If, when a free-kick is taken by the defending team from inside its own penalty area, the ball is not kicked directly out of the penalty area, the kick is retaken."

Hart was clued up on the ruling and was seen conversing with both Rob Green and Austin regarding the call after the 2-2 draw back in November 2014.

"I knew the rules and touched it twice," he told Sky Sports.

"I’d touched it twice with my feet obviously. It’s a mistake and not ideal but rules are rules.

“I was looking at Mangala to pass to him because I was aware of Charlie and it hit my right foot and left foot and went straight to him.”

Asked if he was aware of the two touches from Hart, Austin replied: "Didn't you see from my celebration? I turned around and no one was with me. When I looked back, everyone was around the ref."

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Topics: Joe Hart, Manchester City, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar