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When VAR rules a player offside by millimetres, usually because their armpit or sleeve is beyond the last defender. The technology can draw lines to this precision, but it feels absurd to disallow goals for body parts you can't even score with. Fans mock it, but it's technically correct under the rules. Led to calls to give attackers the benefit of the doubt.

The armpit offside ruling against Liverpool's Roberto Firmino in 2019 became notorious - the goal was disallowed because his armpit was supposedly beyond the defender, prompting widespread ridicule about what body parts actually matter.
The Ref
The Ref Jan 24, 2026
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Under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to suspend disciplinary action that has been taken by a referee in a previous match. For example, a red card can be suspended, with a probationary period of anywhere up to four years. If the player in question commits another act of a similar nature within the defined suspension period, the sanction is reactivated alongside any additional disciplinary measures.

In the 2026 World Cup, Article 27 was quoted by FIFA when USA striker Folarin Balogun had his red card suspended in time for USA to face Belgium in the last-16. The controversy surrounded the alleged phone call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking him to remove the suspension so Balogun could play. He did, Balogun played, and USA got pumped 4-1 by Belgium, the hosts knocked out.

The Ref
The Ref Jul 9, 2026
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Said by commentators about 10,000 times during matches on the last day of the season. When every team is playing at the same time and the goals are flying in, we're told the table 'As it stands' every time a goal goes in somewhere and the title, promotion, European or playoff places, and relegation matters change multiple times. Drama!

With just seconds to go in the Manchester City v QPR match at the end of the 2011-2012 season the commentators let us know that "As it stands, Manchester United are Champions". Then came the iconic "Aguerooooo!" moment as City snatched the league title with the last kick of the season.

The Commentator
The Commentator May 2, 2026
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The final pass before a goal. It's become a major stat for measuring creativity alongside goals. Different competitions count it slightly differently - some include rebounds off your shot, others don't. There's also pre-assists (the pass before the assist) and expected assists (xA) for the analytics crowd. De Bruyne and Messi rack up assists at the same rate some players score.

Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne jointly hold the Premier League record with 20 assists for Henry in the 2002/03 season and 20 assists for KDB in the 2019/20 season. Legends of the game.

The Assistant
The Assistant Feb 7, 2026
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The moment a team wins the ball back and can attack immediately, before the opposition has a chance to reorganise. Fast attacking transitions can cause chaos, catching teams with players out of position who were just on the attack themselves. Some teams build their entire DNA and game tactics around winning the ball back and attacking quickly.

Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, specialising in high-pressing turnovers that lead to fast attacking transitions. Utilising the pace of attackers like Rayan (and Semenyo before he signed for Manchester City), his teams are always one of the most effective in fast breakaways leading to chances on goal.

The Assistant
The Assistant Feb 3, 2026
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