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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

The reason Karim Benzema's Champions League Final goal was disallowed as ex ref explains Liverpool vs Real Madrid confusion

Confusion reigned in the Champions League Final as Karim Benzema's disallowed goal left punters puzzled.

The Real Madrid striker looked to have put his side ahead against the run of play at the Stade de France but was denied by the offside flag after pouncing on a loose ball in the Liverpool box.

The UEFA linesman raised his flag immediately but the game was paused for an extended period while the incident was reviewed by VAR.

Replays showed the ball was played into Benzema's path off Liverpool's Fabinho, which led many to believe the Frenchman was onside and the goal would stand.

But VAR backed up the original decision and Liverpool were allowed to go in at half-time still on level terms.

And amid confusion among the studio pundits, former referee Peter Walton stepped in to explain.

He said on BT Sport: "It's actually quite easy, Benzema is an offside position and the offence is committed if the ball is played back to him.

"It deflects off Fabinho, he doesn't deliberately play it back to him, so Benzema is not deemed to be onside.

"The offside offence is committed when he receive the ball. It comes off a Liverpool player but Benzema is only played onside if the Liverpool player is deemed to have deliberately played the ball."

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