The rule which explains why VAR overlooked Martin Ødegaard’s penalty call
Arsenal battled to a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool, but the result could have been different if the hosts were awarded a penalty in the first half.
The ball ricocheted off Mohamed Salah to collide with Martin Odegaard’s hand inside the penalty area, and there were fierce calls for a penalty.
However, both the referee Chris Kavanagh ruled that it was not a penalty, and VAR did not overturn his decision, much to the surprise of Jamie Carragher, who claimed that Odegaard was “fortunate” not to have been penalised.
PGMOL explains Odegaard handball decision vs Liverpool
The decision has now been explained by refereeing body PGMOL, who told Sky Sports why VAR did not overturn the decision.
“According to PGMOL, it was deemed “not a clear and obvious error” as Ødegaard’s arm was moving towards his body and not the ball as he went down. It wasn’t deemed deliberate or an unnatural action and he may have slipped.”
Was Odegaard lucky over his handball claim?
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
If the referee had initially given the penalty, then it may not have been overturned as it was not a clear and obvious decision.
Odegaard was slipping as the ball collided with his arm, which he had moved towards his body. Whilst this may have been a natural reaction, Liverpool may have felt right to be aggrieved.
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FA Law 12 on handball states that an offence is committed if the player “touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.”
“A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised.”
Odegaard’s arm moved towards his body, therefore not breaking this rule, and it was deemed not a deliberate action due to his slip. Whilst he may be considered fortunate, it was ultimately the correct application of the rules.
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have had some controversial refereeing decisions given against them this season, but they have fallen on the favourable side of this one. Whilst this was not an outrageous decision, there would have been few complaints if it was given.
Arsenal went on to draw 1-1, and with the alleged offence happening with the score at 1-0 to Arsenal, the result may have turned out differently.
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