Italian players were furious at Van Nistelrooy's goal
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy's opening goal in the win over Italy was legitimate, says Premier League referees' chief Keith Hackett.
Van Nistelrooy looked yards offside when he prodded home from close range.
But it appears he was played onside by defender Christian Panucci, who was lying off the pitch at the time.
"The fact is the assistant was correct; the defender who slid off the field is still regarded as active," Hackett told BBC Sport.
"Christian Panucci went off through contact with his own goalkeeper (Gianluigi) Buffon. He is still considered part of the game."
Uefa general secretary David Taylor said the officials had made the right decision.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...08/7445476.stm
This rule is new to me....in which case, what would happen if Sneijder was off the pitch aswell laying on the floor but nearer the advertising board than Panucci (in front of panucci), would the goal then be offside?