Eberechi Eze ‘bids farewell’ to Crystal Palace fans after controversial VAR decision

Fans believe that Eberechi Eze had the chance to say farewell to Crystal Palace fans after a controversial VAR decision robbed the midfielder of a potential dream ending

Fans believe that Eberechi Eze said farewell to Crystal Palace fans as he was substituted against Chelsea.

The England international has been heavily linked with an exit from Selhurst Park this summer, and reports on Saturday even claimed he would be left out of the Eagles’ squad for their Premier League opener amid the speculation.

But that didn’t happen as the midfielder started, and even thought he had put the Eagles in front after just 12 minutes – so did everyone else, apart from VAR.

As Eze’s free-kick flashed through Robert Sanchez from the edge of the box, a VAR review found that Marc Guehi had encroached within one metre of the Chelsea wall as he bundled Moises Caicedo out of the way.

The law was introduced in 2019 but has never had such an impact on a Premier League game before, with Eze’s strike the only one in the entire game to find the back of the net in the goalless draw.

Eze was his usual creative self, centre to Palace’s attacking play again, but the 27-year-old was bizarrely substituted off in the 84th minute for Justin Devenny, despite the game still being there to win for both teams.

Fans have speculated that Oliver Glasner may have manipulated his potential moment to say goodbye to the Palace fans as he walked off slowly clapping the away end, who responded by acknowledging his departure with a whole-hearted send off of applause before singing his chant.

One user on X said: “Looks like that’s farewell from Eze. shame they robbed him off his free kick.” A second agreed: “It seems like a farewell”

A third added: “Eze bids farewell to Crystal Palace fans.” While a fourth said: “That Eze substitution clap was very much a farewell clap ffs.”

The England midfielder has been the subject of heavy transfer interest this summer from Arsenal and Tottenham.

Despite Eze starting against the Blues, Spurs’ pursuit is still ongoing as Thomas Frank looks to cover James Maddison’s absence, with the midfielder out for potentially the entire season after suffering an ACL injury, but there is no agreement between the two clubs as of yet.