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Elliott Jackson

Patrick Bamford reveals referee confusion after controversial Leeds United goal disallowed by VAR

Patrick Bamford has admitted he was baffled by VAR's decision to rule out his goal against Crystal Palace and has urged the authorities to clarify the offside rule.

The Whites striker thought he had equalised after Scott Dann's 12th-minute opener, only for the technology to decide his upper arm was offside and thus chalk of the goal.

In the summer, the handball ruled was altered so you can now legally play the ball with the top part of your arm, which in turn played Bamford offside as he pointed to receive the ball.

The decision was met with anger on social media from popular football figures such as Gary Lineker and Peter Crouch, in addition to Leeds supporters.

Bamford himself has delivered his verdict on the goal, claiming even the on-field referee Chris Kavanagh couldn't give him a definitive explanation as to why the goal had been ruled out.

"To be honest, I thought it was just a formality checking it," Bamford told BT Sport.

"I thought it would be fine. I've just seen it back there and I've been playing seven years now and I don't understand the rule now.

"You can't score with your arm or your hand so if your hand is offside, how is that offside? They have to make it clearer.

"The referee when I asked him didn't really know. I'm not just saying it because it's my goal but I've seen many of the TV with it previously and it's ruining the game I think."

"I'm enjoying my football, it's hard to say when you've just lost the game but in general, I'm really enjoying this spell.

"I hope it continues, I'll keep working hard. It's a shame today it means nothing because we've come away with no points. Hopefully, the next goal will help us win the game."

Ebere Eze doubled Palace's lead before Bamford got on the scoresheet to halve the deficit.

An unfortunate own goal from Helder Costa and a second-half strike from Jordan Ayew made sure of the points though as Palace ran out 4-1 winners.

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