The Handball Law
Once more VAR interrupts a major game to rule on a possible penalty area hand ball. Once again a penalty is given. Once again there is a massive difference of opinion between players and referees. The refs are technically right of course because they have been directed to award penalties for instances where the arm appears to be away from the body and stops the ball. Doesn't seem to matter whether or not there is any intent or not. Doesn't seem to matter whether or not the body shape is natural. Doesn't seem to make any difference if the arm is positioned as it is purely to maintain balance. And it seems to make no difference how far the player is from the ball as it is struck, or the speed of the ball (which actually gets forgotten in the slow motion which is employed to pick up the detail).
By the way, this was definitely a penalty tonight because a) the referee awarded it, and b) he was following the rules as instructed.
This has all got to stop though surely, before any more massive football matches are spoiled in this way? I think most of us feel that penalties for hand ball should only be given if the hand ball is definitely deliberate, and that distance between shooter and defender, as well as velocity of ball should be factored into this judgement. And finally, that the benefit of the doubt should be given to the defender.
So what can be done to get the law, or interpretation of the law, changed? In my view, this needs to be sorted out quickly because too many high profile games are being influenced by refereeing decisions rather than footballing quality. Coaches need to persuade their representatives to lobby the authorities on this. Not sure how this should work, but it needs to be sorted. Sorry, I know this has been discussed before, but I can't remember where!
By the way, this was definitely a penalty tonight because a) the referee awarded it, and b) he was following the rules as instructed.
This has all got to stop though surely, before any more massive football matches are spoiled in this way? I think most of us feel that penalties for hand ball should only be given if the hand ball is definitely deliberate, and that distance between shooter and defender, as well as velocity of ball should be factored into this judgement. And finally, that the benefit of the doubt should be given to the defender.
So what can be done to get the law, or interpretation of the law, changed? In my view, this needs to be sorted out quickly because too many high profile games are being influenced by refereeing decisions rather than footballing quality. Coaches need to persuade their representatives to lobby the authorities on this. Not sure how this should work, but it needs to be sorted. Sorry, I know this has been discussed before, but I can't remember where!