Cech makes scathing declaration after Fernandes controversy in Manchester derby

14 January 2023 , 17:18

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Bruno Fernandes hauled Manchester United level in the second half (Image: Dave Thompson/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Petr Cech has hit out at the officials that decided to allow Bruno Fernandes' equaliser in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Manchester City - and believes that the rule makers "don't understand the game".

The 28-year-old had the ball in the back of the net after Jack Grealish gave Manchester City the lead, but the flag was raised. However, VAR intervened to award the goal as Marcus Rashford was in an offside position but didn't touch the ball, meaning it was allowed to stand.

Rashford was deemed not to have interfered with play before Fernandes struck, so the fact he was in an offside position at the time of Casemiro's pass was irrelevant. It is a goal that has caused plenty of controversy amongst players, fans and pundits - and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Cech has slammed the decision.

He took to Twitter to write: "The first United goal just proved the people who make the rules don’t understand the game."

During BT Sport's coverage of the Manchester derby, Peter Walton claimed the goal was rightly awarded as Rashford didn't interfere with a City defender or touch the ball. Rashford went on to score the winner in the 82nd minute as he tapped home Alejandro Garnacho's low cross to seal a crucial win for United.

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Walton said: "The law was amended to actually counter that argument of whether he touches the ball or does he interfere with an opponent playing the ball. He (Rashford) does neither, so as the law stands, he hasn't done anything wrong. It's actually very good play from Rashford himself."

Should Bruno Fernandes' goal had been disallowed? Let us know in the comments below!

Bruno Fernandes scored a contentious equaliser in the Manchester derby (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Former Scottish Professional Football League referee Des Roache has also delivered his verdict on the goal, claiming it should not have been allowed. He told Grosvenor Sport : "Rashford should have been called offside, he deliberately interfered with play.

"From my perspective, Rashford should have been called offside. He's running alongside the ball to misguide Manchester City players, but that does not come into the laws of the game. I would say Rashford is interfering with play because deliberately was involved and had moved towards the ball, but because he did not touch the ball I can only assume the match referee was not interfering. If I was officiating that game, the goal would not have stood.

"By the laws of the game, the Bruno Fernandes goal is not offside because the referee has interpreted that Marcus Rashford is not interfering with the ball and stopping a Man City player from claiming the ball.

"I hope the crowd in the game did not affect the referee's decision. If you're being swayed by a crowd at that level, it's not good officiating. You have to blank those things out. In games like this, the referee should focus purely on the game and not be affected by the crowd."

Kieran King