Football fans have demanded that the relevant authorities make a change to the laws following an injury to Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in their 3-2 win at Newcastle.
The Brazilian was forced off early on Saturday after suffering an injury despite his opponent later being called offside.
Sean Longstaff momentarily thought he had given Newcastle the lead in just the second minute at St James’ Park.
The midfielder stroked home from close range after being found by an Alexander Isak cross.
Ederson suffered an injury early in Man City’s match at Newcastle
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As has become customary, the assistant referee allowed the attack to play out before raising his flag against Isak.
Officials are instructed to do so to allow VAR to intervene later if required.
However, the incident saw Longstaff and City team-mate collide with Ederson, resulting in the goalkeeper receiving treatment on the pitch.
He attempted to carry on but was shortly replaced by substitute keeper Stefan Ortega due to a leg injury.
Fans straight away took to social media to vent their frustration.
Many believe the rule should be scrapped to avoid such situations where players get injured.
One fan wrote on X: “I’ve said this from day one of the policy.”
While another posted: “Worst rule in football right now.”
One more said: “I’ve been saying that since that offside rule was brought in. It needs looking at before any more serious, and unnecessary, injuries.”
And another put: “Exactly why I hate VAR, exactly why the officiating needs to be held to a higher standard, fans have been saying this for years now that it was going to cause serious injuries because linesmen can’t be a***d to do their job properly. Pathetic.”
City have now suffered two injuries in a similar fashion.
John Stones suffered an ankle issue in the win at Everton in December which he is yet to return from.
One fan wrote: “Stones and Ederson got injured because some people out there can’t do their jobs.”
While another put: “Same happened with John Stones.
“Funny how that’s 2 of our main players out through injury thanks to players clearly offside and no flag until the attack is allowed to play out.”
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Kyle Walker and Sean Longstaff collided into Ederson
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It isn’t just City fans who expressed their anger.
Aston Villa lost Tyrone Mings to a serious knee injury earlier this season when play was allowed to continue.
One Villa fan posted: “We lost Mings for the season on opening day because of this stupid rule.”
Neutral fans continued to post their annoyance too.
One wrote: “The rules are a joke, if a linesman sees offside the flag should go straight up no argument.”
And another put: “Something like this was always going to happen to someone due to this farcical rule.”
Ederson received treatment on the pitch before later being substituted
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The incident was just at the start of what turned out to be a thrilling game.
City took the lead through a fine flick from Bernardo Silva.
Newcastle then scored twice in the space of two minutes, with Isak and Anthony Gordon both curling in unstoppable efforts.
City pushed for an equaliser in the second half and it was the returning Kevin de Bruyne who provided with a sublime low shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Another sub, Oscar Bobb, then broke Newcastle hearts with a winner in the first minute of stoppage time.
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