Chiefs spectacular goal by Maart won’t be disallowed

Reeve Frosler did not encroach onto the playing surface. This is contrary to claims that Yusuf Maart’s miraculous goal, which ended the Soweto derby for Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, should have been annulled.

However, had Frosler timed his celebration to run onto the field a split-second earlier, referee Victor Gomes and his assistants would have had to overrule Maart’s spectacular strike and award a free kick to Orlando Pirates, according to Damon, who issued a warning to substitutes warming up behind the goals in similar circumstances.

Maart scored an outstanding goal for the Glamour Boys in the 74th minute by shooting from inside his half, close to the center circle, after seeing Bucs goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane leave his line.

Now let's discuss Frosler's reaction to the goal by Maart 🙊🙉🙆‍♂️ that was seconds from being an offence #SowetoDerby #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/Arwz3wjoiK

— ✌AmbroGino✌️ (@Workersday) October 29, 2022

Supporters said Frosler, who was warming up behind goal as a replacement and went onto the field to celebrate a split-second after the ball entered the net, had intruded onto the playing field, which is why Maart’s goal should have been disallowed, according to Damon.

The player wasn’t on the field of play when the ball crossed the line, so their argument is false. I did my best to get a screenshot, as shown in the image below,” Damon remarked.

“But suppose he [Frosler] was on the field of play [before the ball went into the net]; in the purest sense of the Laws of the Game, that goal should have been disallowed and an immediate free-kick awarded to Orlando Pirates in that situation.

However, as this image demonstrates, the Kaizer Chiefs player was not present on the playing pitch.

Innocent Mayoyo is wrong, Frosler was not on the field of play when that Maart goal went in pic.twitter.com/6zCpUDbpwS

— Bonga Zulu🇿🇦 (@ZuluBongaSA) October 31, 2022

Damon is the head of the SA Football Association’s referee’s technical committee for training and development and one of two Fifa officials in Africa responsible for the development of referees.

Pirates turn their attention to the MTN8 final against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday (6pm), the last official domestic game ahead of a two-month Fifa international break for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The semifinal of the one-day Carling Black Label Cup friendly competition will feature Chiefs and Pirates, nevertheless, on November 12.

Also read: Chiefs knocked out of MTN8