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Monday, June 01, 2009

Long-range Malouda shot shows need for change

If the FA Cup final was transferred to next season's UEFA Cup (or Europa Cup as it'll be known), the score would have been Chelsea 3 Everton 1. Florent Malouda's 30-yarder hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down over the goalline.
The only problem is that referee Howard Webb and his assistant were, inevitably, hopelessly out of position because of the speed of Malouda's break and the distance of the shot. The assistant was 30 yards out himself when the ball was struck. So neither official had a good view of the incident and the goal could not be allowed.
FIFA has just announced that in next season's Europea Cup, there will be two extra assistants in the penalty areas to help with incidents like these. These assistants will stand on the goal line most of the time and would have been ideally placed to give a clear decision on such incidents.
Hopefully a positive move for the new season.

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