Ex-referee warns Premier League to scrap controversial rule before more players get hurt

MARK HALSEY has called for the delayed offside flag to be scrapped to avoid more serious injuries.

Ederson limped off with a leg injury after the Manchester City keeper collided with Sean Longstaff as the Brazilian tried to prevent the Newcastle midfielder from converting Alexander Isak’s cross.

PA

Mark Halsey has urged the Premier League to scrap delayed offside flags[/caption]

Rex

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was injured before an offside flag went up[/caption]

The goal was ruled out by VAR due to an earlier offside in the build-up at St James’ Park on Saturday.

It is the second time City boss Pep Guardiola has lost a star due to injury in a similar situation after John Stones was forced off at his former club Everton last month.

SunSport’s referee expert Halsey says the use of the offside flag needs to be looked at with an urgent review of the VAR protocol to protect players.

The former Prem ref said: “The safety of players is paramount to the game.

“This directive about holding the flag needs reassessing because too many players are getting injured. I would change it.

“It’s happened twice for City, firstly with John Stones and now with Ederson.

“Football is an entertainment  business and fans want to see the best players on the pitch. Some of the best players are missing matches for injuries that are needless and avoidable.”

Assistant referees have been told to keep their flag down — even if they think there is an offside — until the passage of play is complete.

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Only once a goal is scored or the chance has gone will the assistant then  raise their flag to confirm the initial offence.

That is so if a goal is scored then VAR can review the offside call.

But Halsey, who started his career as an assistant referee, believes more responsibility needs to be given to officials on the field.

He explained: “I’m all for letting the game flow — but officials need to show common sense.

“If it’s a clear offside and the player is 40 yards from goal then the assistant referee should just automatically flag if they believe the player is offside.

Rex

Ederson collided with Sean Longstaff as he tried to prevent a disallowed goal[/caption]

“If the ball is in or around the penalty box then you don’t flag because you won’t get a serious injury with players bearing down on goal. There’s no risk for the keeper or defenders chasing back in that situation.

“I understand why the protocol was introduced because everyone in football doesn’t want goals to be ruled out for tight offsides.

“But these situations are not about a toenail being offside, they are yards offside. Assistant refs just need to award the offside.

“It’s about understanding football and I can understand managers’ frustrations for this needless holding of the flag when there’s a clear offside so far up the pitch.”