Why Karim Benzema’s Champions League final goal against Liverpool was disallowed

A former Premier League referee has explained why Karim Benzema’s goal in the Champions League final was disallowed.

Benzema thought he had given Spanish champions Real Madrid the lead shortly before half-time but the offside flag was raised, much to the relief of Liverpool.

The in-form striker controlled a high ball into the box and then took a couple of touches before trying to round goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Benzema lost control of the ball but Ibrahima Konate and Alisson made a mess of the clearance.

Three players then challenged for the ball and it came back to Benzema who slotted past Alisson.

Real Madrid’s celebrations were cut short as the linesman raised his flag for offside, but replays showed Fabinho got the last touch before Benzema’s strike.

That appeared to mean VAR would overturn the decision but Madrid were left disappointed as the referee confirmed the goal was disallowed.

Explaining the decision at half-time, former referee Peter Walton told BT Sport: ‘It is easy. Benzema is in an offside position. The offence is committed if the ball is deliberately played back to him.

‘Fabinho, the ball deflects off him, he doesn’t deliberately play the ball to him. He doesn’t play Benzema onside. It’s only deemed onside if the Liverpool player has deliberately played it.’

While it appears the correct decision was made, a number of former players were surprised and confused by the incident.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said: ‘I still don’t understand it. If I am a Real Madrid player, I am going bananas.’

Alan Shearer added on BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I can’t work that one out because it looked like it came off Fabinho to reach Benzema.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>“The ball comes off a Liverpool player and