Should overhead goals be allowed?

Diego Costa, Laurent Koscielny and Rudy Gestede all caught the eye this weekend, as they scored from spectacular overhead kicks.

But should those goals have been disallowed?

On the opening day of last season, Norwich striker Cameron Jerome struck in similar circumstances against Crystal Palace and his effort was chalked off for dangerous play.

On that day, referee Simon Hooper disallowed the goal because Jerome’s foot was close to the head of defender Joel Ward.

Swansea’s Kyle Naughton might argue that Costa’s boot was dangerously high to his face. Southampton’s Jordy Clasie certainly felt some of Koscielny’s boot. Eric Lichaj was visibly hurt after being caught in the face by Gestede.

So what exactly is the rule?

This issue is covered by Law 12 where playing in a dangerous manner is defined as “any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury”.

However, the law specifically states: “A scissors or bicycle kick is permissible provided that it is not dangerous to an opponent.”

So should this weekend’s incidents – whereby players were flinging their feet six foot in the air near the faces of opponents – be deemed dangerous? …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com