Ian Wright describes Cameron Jerome’s disallowed goal for Norwich City as an “Armageddon moment”

Ian Wright, centre, flanked by Rio Ferdinand, left, and Jake Humphrey for BT Sport. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire. PA Wire

Cameron Jerome’s disallowed goal against Crystal Palace may have been a prophetic moment of doom for football, according to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright.

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Cameron Jerome's second half finish in Norwich City's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace was disallowed for dangerous play. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd Cameron Jerome's second half finish in Norwich City's 3-1 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace was disallowed for dangerous play. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

Wright, who now works as a football pundit in the media, has raged about the decision to disallow Jerome’s spectacular effort by referee Simon Hooper – as have Canaries fans ever since last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat.

The goal was disallowed because of Jerome’s high boot being deemed as dangerous play by the official, denying Alex Neil’s side an equaliser having been 2-0 down at Carrow Road.

“If, in years to come, Terminators take over the world and people ask me ‘where did it all start?’ I will say it was when Cameron Jerome’s goal for Norwich was disallowed on the opening day of the 2015-16 season,” the 51-year-old wrote in his BBC Sport column.

“That decision was ridiculous and it really was the beginning of the end for me – it is an Armageddon moment if it sets the tone for decisions for the rest of this campaign.

Russell Martin argues with referee Simon Hooper after a goal by Cameron Jerome was disallowed. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd Russell Martin argues with referee Simon Hooper after a goal by Cameron Jerome was disallowed. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd

“I know referees are always very whistle-happy at this stage of the season but, if you are disallowing goals for an overhead kick where the ball has gone before the defender’s head is anywhere near it, then where do you stop?

“From a striker’s point of view, it is very frustrating because we should have been talking about how quickly Cameron adjusted to put himself in a scoring position, and celebrating a creative and instinctive finish.

Wright scored 90 goals for Crystal Palace and 128 for Arsenal, as well as nine in 33 games for England, so knows a thing or two about scoring at the top level.

“That is exactly the sort of point I will be making on Match of the Day this Saturday,” he continued.

“When I am on the show, I want to highlight bits of skill and showcase them so that kids want to do the same, and it is really annoying when brilliant goals like that are disallowed, because the decision then becomes the talking point instead of the skill itself.”

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