Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel cleared the VAR decision that awarded Florian Wirtz his second‑half equaliser for Liverpool at Fulham. After assistant referee flagged offside, Andy Madley consulted the semi‑automated offside technology (SAOT) and, using the league’s five‑centimetre tolerance, confirmed the goal in the 57th minute despite visual evidence suggesting otherwise.

Fulham manager Marco Silva called the call “clear offside” and lodged a complaint for the club with the Professional Game Match Officials. He argued the broadcast frame showed Wirtz ahead of the defender, while the VAR system captured the moment Connor Bradley first touched the ball, creating a perception gap in the decision‑making process.

The panel’s unanimous backing of Madley rests on the Premier League’s unique offside tolerance, a rule not shared by Serie A, La Liga or the Bundesliga. Observers will watch whether the governing body issues clearer broadcast guidelines, as the controversy may pressure other leagues to reconsider their own offside technology standards.