Controversial handball rules ‘to be softened’ in Premier League after outrage over recent penalties awarded

The handball rule that has caused so much controversy at the start of the Premier League season is set to be ‘softened’, talkSPORT understands.

Players, managers and fans have all expressed outrage after a string of penalties have been awarded in the opening three rounds of games.

sky sports

Spurs were denied a win over Newcastle after Eric Dier was penalised for this handball

The new handball rule brought in for this season means that any contact made with the ball and hand is penalised, regardless of whether it is intentional or not.

talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface took aim at referee chiefs after the ‘shambolic’ handball decision against Tottenham’s Eric Dier in Saturday’s clash against Newcastle.

The Magpies were given a stunningly late penalty at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the ball hit Dier in the arm.

But the penalty was given anyway, and Jose Mourinho stormed off before the game had finished and Callum Wilson converted from the spot to give Newcastle a 1-1 draw, cancelling out Lucas Moura’s opener.

getty

Matt Doherty could do nothing about his handball against Southampton but it was given as a penalty anyway due to the Premier League’s rules

It enraged a host of pundits, with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville agreeing – for once – that the new rule is ‘ridiculous and ‘an absolute disgrace’.

Even Steve Bruce, whose side benefitted from the call on Saturday, admitted the new rule is ‘a nonsense’.

Similar incidents have seen controversial spot kicks given when the ball has struck the arms of Victor Lindelof, Joel Ward, Matt Doherty and Neal Maupay.

Following a Premier League meeting on Tuesday, talkSPORT understands that the application of the controversial handball rule will be ‘softened’.

Referees will be allowed to apply greater subjectivity following a conversation with the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The new handball rule is a terrible, morally corrupt law - Sam Matterface insists the handball rule must be changed back!

Premier League clubs also agreed today to pay for testing of English Football League (EFL) clubs ahead of Carabao Cup and FA Cup matches, where a Premier League side is drawn against one in the EFL.

Clubs agreed that a points-per-game metric will be used if this season (and any season) has to be curtailed due to the pandemic.

An agreement still needs to be reached on a threshold that would constitute a curtailed season and a null and void season.

from Football - news, transfers, fixtures, scores, pictures https://ift.tt/3cJBa2r
via IFTTT

• Share
• Share
• Tweet
• Pin It