Petr Cech goes viral for tweet after controversial Bruno Fernandes goal against Man City

Petr Cech has gone viral for his tweet after Manchester United's controversial equaliser against Manchester City.

Bruno Fernandes levelled matters after Jack Grealish had come off the bench to put City 1-0 up but it came after Marcus Rashford was offside in the build-up.

The goal was initially chalked off by the linesman but on review, ended up standing as Rashford did not touch the ball from Casemiro's pass in behind.

However many felt as though it was a farce that the goal was given due to Rashford running towards the ball until the very last second when Fernandes nipped in to slot past Ederson.

And one of the most vocal was former Chelsea goalkeeper Cech, who slammed those who make the rules.

He fumed: "The first United goal just proved the people who make the rules don’t understand the game".

According to FIFA, a player is actively interfering with play if they touch the ball after it has been passed to them by a teammate.

At the same though, a player can also influence play without touching the ball, and so should be given offside if the referee feels that their offside position has interfered with an opponent – for example by preventing the opponent from playing the ball or by obstructing a goalkeeper’s line of vision.

The IFAB Laws of the Game handbook also explains:

• a player moving from, or standing in, an offside position is in the way of an opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball; if the player moves into the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent's progress (e.g blocks the opponent) the offence should be penalised under Law 12

It also states:

“A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by:

• interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or
• interfering with an opponent by:
• preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or
• challenging an opponent for the ball or
• clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent or
• making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

“or

• gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:
• rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent
• been deliberately saved by any opponent”

City manager Pep Guardiola was aggrieved by the goal and in his post-match interview with BT Sport said "Rashford was offside and that he "distracted keeper and defenders."

Defender Manuel Akanji also felt the call was wrong and highlighted that Rashford didn't stop until the very last moment.

As per Shamoon Hafez, he said: "In the situation, I played him [Marcus Rashford] offside, but he plays until the last second. I understand he doesn't touch the ball, but for me it is clearly offside."

Featured Image Credit: Petr Cech & BT Sport

Topics: Petr Cech, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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