Why Harry Kane’s winner against Sporting was ruled offside

• A controversial scenario occurred when Tottenham Hotspur faced Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League
• Harry Kane scored what he thought was a winner for Tottenham Hotspur but VAR intervened
• Kane was ruled offside in one of the most controversial VAR decision that saw Conte get a red card after protesting the decision

Tottenham Hotspur were denied a late winner in the 95th-minute against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League following a three-minute check by the Video Assistant Referee – VAR.

READ HERE: Conte sent off as VAR denies Spurs win over Sporting

A victory would have sent the Premier League side into the knockout stages as group winners, but after drawing 1-1, they need another point against Marseille to secure progression next week, while a win would seal top spot for good.

Antonio Conte’s side, who had responded well after falling behind in the first half, were incensed that Harry Kane’s goal was not allowed to stand, and the Italian was harshly sent off for his touchline protests following the VAR ruling.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte was sent off for his protests following the VAR decision that Harry Kane’s goal against Sporting CP was scored from an offside position. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Many questions arose from the ruling with the main one being was the VAR right to take so long with their decision? Was the call even the correct one? Are Tottenham right to feel aggrieved? Well here at SportsLeo have some answers…

What is the offside rule in Football?

You most definitely know a decision is a close one when this is whipped out.

According to football rules as stated by FIFA player is in an offside position if:

• any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and
• any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent, including the goalkeeper

According to FIFA, the hands and arms of the attacking player are not considered in offside decisions as you cannot score a legal goal with these body parts.

A player who is level with the second-last opponent is not in an offside position.

An offside offence has also been committed if a player is:

• gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent OR been deliberately saved by any opponent

The guidelines for a “deliberate play” are defined as:

• The ball travelled from distance and the player had a clear view of it
• The ball was not moving quickly
• The direction of the ball was not unexpected
• The player had time to coordinate their body movement, i.e. it was not a case of instinctive stretching or jumping, or a movement that achieved limited contact/control
• A ball moving on the ground is easier to play than a ball in the air

Was Harry Kane offside against Sporting CP?

Before making a judgement, you need to have a run back of what exactly transpired in the match.

Ivan Perisic’s initial cross from the left towards the back post came with Kane and Emerson Royal standing in onside positions. That part is fine and even VAR stated it.

Emerson’s header back across goal is deflected on by Flavio Nazinho before being flicked up and in by Harry Kane.

However, from most camera angles, Kane is fractionally standing ahead of the ball and the last defender when Emerson heads it, meaning that he is legally, if cruelly, standing in an offside position.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane was ruled offside by the VAR after scoring the winner against Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League clash. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

As the deflection off of Nazinho is not a deliberate play (as defined above in the offside rules), Kane’s position is not reset. This rule allowed Kane to win a penalty against Liverpool at Anfield in a 2-2 draw back in 2018, as Dejan Lovren’s flick was a deliberate act which allowed the otherwise offside Kane to return to legal play before being fouled.

Eric Dier and BT Sport pundits insisted that because Emerson’s header went backwards before hitting Nazinho, the goal should have stood. However, the direction of the ball is irrelevant as Kane is still standing ahead of the last man when it is last touched by a teammate.

Semi-automated offsides are in use during the Champions League group stage and would likely have told the officials that Kane was ahead of the ball, with the three-minute check perhaps taking place over whether Nazinho’s deflection was a deliberate act, eventually deducing that it was not.

Spurs fans’ main gripe now is whether or not Kane was indeed ahead of the ball when it was played, with some camera angles suggesting so more than others.

Sporting would have had little complaints about a no-call if VAR was not in use, but judging by the final frame shown by broadcasters, Kane was offside and the decision was correct.