Martin Keown, a former Arsenal defender, has criticized the handball laws in football, arguing that they are ‘ruining the game.’
This comes after Arsenal conceded a controversial penalty against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The incident occurred as Mikel Arteta’s side seemed poised to head into halftime at the San Siro with a 0-0 scoreline against the reigning Italian champions.
A Penalty Controversy
Just before the break, Inter Milan was awarded a penalty when Mikel Merino was judged to have handled the ball in the box.
The referee, Istvan Kovacs, pointed to the spot after a free kick from Inter’s Mehdi Taremi was flicked on and struck Merino’s hand from close range.
Keown, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his frustration over the decision, suggesting that Arsenal was unfairly penalized.
He questioned the consistency of handball rulings and whether the current laws were doing more harm than good.
Keown’s Criticism of the Handball Rule
Keown vehemently disagreed with the decision, stating, “Is the arm in an unnatural position? It certainly isn’t.”
He added, “I don’t know who determines that, but the referee has given it, and VAR isn’t going to intervene.”
Keown believes that such decisions undermine the spirit of the game, claiming, “I think it is ruining our game, to be honest.”
Ferdinand’s Perspective on Rule Differences
Rio Ferdinand, another pundit on the show, pointed out that the handball rule is interpreted differently in various competitions, creating confusion.
He noted, “It is unfortunate the rules are different in competitions. It’s the confusing thing for fans and pundits.”
This comment followed a similar penalty decision made in Manchester City’s game against Sporting Lisbon, where Ousmane Diomande of Sporting was penalized for blocking a shot with his arm.
The Changing Approach to Handball Decisions
In contrast to UEFA’s rulings, the Premier League has taken a different approach this season regarding handball penalties.
According to former referee Kevin Friend, the Premier League now only penalizes instances where a ball hits the arm in an unnatural or deliberate manner.
Friend explained, “If it’s a clear directional movement from the ball from the foot to the hand, we’re not going to be penalizing that.”
Matthew Upson’s Views on Premier League Standards
Matthew Upson, another former Arsenal player, voiced his disagreement with the decision made in the Inter Milan match.
He stated, “It’s a crazy decision from the referee to award a penalty for that.”
Upson praised the Premier League’s approach to handball, arguing that it is “miles ahead” in terms of applying the law.
He believes that referees in the Premier League better understand the context of handball situations, such as the proximity and speed of the ball.
The Need for Common Sense
Upson also emphasized the importance of common sense in these decisions, stating, “It is just a bit of common sense.”
He was frustrated with the inconsistent application of handball laws across different competitions, which he believes makes it difficult for fans and players alike to understand what is and isn’t a penalty.
This ongoing debate highlights the complexities of the handball rule and how its interpretation can significantly impact the flow and fairness of the game.
With differing standards between competitions and the ongoing evolution of the rule, it seems this issue is far from being resolved.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn