Why Fulham’s bizarre FA Cup goal against Southampton did not count | OneFootball

According to NY Times, Fulham had a bizarre first-half strike ruled out in their FA Cup loss to Southampton because referee Jarred Gillett had already stopped play.

In the 19th minute of the fifth-round tie at Craven Cottage, Southampton keeper Daniel Peretz took a quick goal kick after Rodrigo Muniz had headed wide. It lacked height, hit Ryan Manning’s back with players still in the penalty area, and as it broke to Muniz, Gillett blew. The striker scored into an empty net to boos.

With play halted before the finish, VAR could not intervene. Gillett signalled he had stopped play, spoke to Peretz, then explained the decision to Fulham captain Tom Cairney before another goal kick.

The official did not confirm his reasoning. It appeared linked to Law 16.1, which requires a stationary ball and opponents outside the area until it is in play. The ball may not have been still and opponents remained inside, though play can continue if they had no time to leave.

Co-commentator Adam Virgo said he had never seen anything like it. After full time, Marco Silva said he did not receive an explanation and had yet to speak to Gillett.

Southampton, from the Championship, won 1-0 thanks to Ross Stewart’s 91st-minute penalty after Joachim Andersen was penalised for fouling Finn Azaz, booking a first quarter-final since 2022.

Source: NY Times