The Soweto Derby's influence on FIFA's lawmakers came full circle after yet more spotlight on the encroachment rule when a winning goal was scored by Orlando Pirates' Monnapule Saleng.
Maart made headlines worldwide in the Soweto Derby against Pirates in October 2022 after he unleashed a stunning shot from his own half that looped over goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane and found the back of the net.
At the time, FIFA acknowledged the Amakhosi captain's strike on their social media platforms and there were hopes that the goal would feature as one of the nominees for the Puskas award.
However, it did not make the nominees for the Puskas award, apparently because of, among other things, the encroachment that happened before the ball crossed the line after Reeve Frosler celebrated entering the pitch before the ball completely crossed the line.
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According to refereeing expert Victor Hlungwani, FIFA amended their rule on encroachment after the Maart incident and currently it is no longer an offence if a person enters the field and does not interfere with play when a goal is scored.
On Saturday in the Soweto Derby, Thabiso Monyane entered the field before Saleng's winning goal completely crossed the line and there were question marks and contentions on whether the goal should have stood.
Hlungwani has clarified that FIFA made a law change at the beginning of the season, as follows:
Law 3: The Players
Goal scored with an extra person on the field of play
"If, after a goal is scored, the referee realizes, before play restarts, an extra person was on the field of play when the goal was scored and that person interfered with play:
• The referee must disallow the goal…," Hlungwane demonstrated on SABC Sport's SoccerZone.
Read: Chiefs in Soweto Derby consolation
However, he added...
"The referee should take action against an extra person on the field of play when a goal is scored only if the person affected the play. The law does not expect the referee to penalise encroachment onto the field of play if it does not impact the play."
Monyane did not interfere with or impact play and Saleng's winning goal therefore is a perfect goal, as demonstrated by Hlungwane.
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