A Controversial Call: Examining the Hand Ball Incident in Manchester City’s Victory Over everton
Manchester City secured a narrow 1-0 victory against everton at Goodison Park on February 27, 2022, with Phil Foden’s late goal proving decisive. However, the match was marred by a contentious handball incident involving Rodri that sparked heated debate.
In the 85th minute, with everton pushing for an equalizer, Rodri appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area. referee Paul Tierney, aided by VAR (Video Assistant Referee) Chris Kavanagh, controversially ruled against awarding a penalty, much to the fury of Everton and their manager, Frank Lampard.
the crux of the controversy lay in the precise point of contact. Replays showed the ball striking Rodri’s upper right arm as he attempted to control it. while his body language suggested a lack of intent, the Premier League’s handball rules, aligned with the Laws of the Game, stipulate that a handball is only penalized if the ball strikes the arm in a designated “red” zone.
The “red” zone encompasses areas of the arm considered unnatural or deliberately positioned to gain an advantage. In this instance, the ball struck Rodri’s upper arm, a region where the “red” and “green” (non-penalty) zones intersect.This ambiguity likely contributed to VAR’s decision, as they ultimately determined there was insufficient clear evidence to confirm the ball had struck the “red” zone.
Lampard vehemently criticized the officiating, arguing that the handball was clear and that even a child could recognize it as a penalty. He expressed frustration with VAR’s inability to reach a definitive conclusion and called for greater clarity and accountability in refereeing decisions.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in interpreting handball rules, especially when the ball strikes the upper arm in a borderline area. While VAR aims to provide greater accuracy, its reliance on subjective interpretation can still lead to controversial calls, leaving fans and players alike questioning the fairness of the game.
Despite the controversy, Manchester City’s victory solidified their position at the top of the Premier League table with 66 points from 27 matches. Everton, meanwhile, remained in 17th place with 22 points from 24 matches.
handball Headache: A Conversation with Former Premier League Striker,Alan Shearer
The football world was abuzz following Manchester City’s controversial 1-0 victory over Everton. A late Phil Foden goal secured the win for the league leaders, but the real talking point was a potential handball by Rodri that wasn’t given. To unpack this contentious incident, I sat down with former Premier League striker and renowned pundit, Alan Shearer.
Moderator: Alan, thanks for joining me. This handball incident has sparked a lot of debate. What’s your take on the call?
Alan Shearer: Well,it’s a tough one,isn’t it? On first glance,it looked like a clear handball. The ball struck Rodri’s arm, and in my playing days, that would have been a penalty every single time. but these days, the rules are so complex, it’s difficult to know what constitutes a handball.
Moderator: Specifically, the issue seems to be the point of contact on Rodri’s arm.The replays suggest the ball hit his upper right arm, a zone that sits right on the borderline between the “red” and “green” zones according to the handball rules.
Alan Shearer: Absolutely. That’s where the problem lies. the IFAB, the body that governs the Laws of the Game, has tried to clarify these rules, but they’ve ended up making things more complicated. It’s become this grey area where VAR officials have to make a judgment call based on a few frames of video. And that’s where the controversy arises.
Moderator: Frank Lampard was clearly furious, calling the decision a “joke” and claiming that even a child could see it was a penalty. Do you think his anger is justified?
Alan Shearer: Look, I understand Frank’s frustration. He’s fighting for his team,and he feels they were robbed of a chance to equalise. And, let’s be honest, if that had happened at the other end of the pitch, we’d be having a very different conversation.
But I also think we need to acknowledge that officiating is incredibly difficult.Referees and VAR officials are under immense pressure, and they’re making split-second decisions based on complex rules. We can’t expect them to be perfect every time.
Moderator: Do you think VAR has ultimately made the rules clearer or more confusing?
Alan Shearer: It’s a mixed bag, really. VAR has helped with some obvious errors, but it’s also introduced a new level of scrutiny that can be problematic. When you slow down a replay a hundred times, you’re going to find something, even if it’s marginal.
And that’s where we come back to the handball rules. They need to be simplified. We need clear, consistent guidelines that everyone understands. Otherwise, we’re going to continue having these debates week in and week out.
Moderator: Alan, as ever, brilliant insight. Thank you for your time.
Readers, what are your thoughts on this handball controversy? Was it a penalty? Are the handball rules overly complicated? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments!
