MANCHESTER UNITED were left fuming after Middlebrough equalised at Old Trafford – despite a blatant but crucially accidental handball.
The ball clearly bounced up off sub Duncan Watmore’s hand as he controlled it in the penalty box.
Anthony Taylor did not blow his whistle, though.
And knowing if he scored with his next touch the goal would be ruled out, the Middlesbrough striker lifted the ball over Dean Henderson but off target.
Matt Crooks, a team-mate of Watmore’s in the United academy, carried on and arrived at the back post to slam in to make it 1-1 in their FA Cup fourth-round clash.
However, United players, staff and fans could not believe the goal was allowed to stand – especially after a VAR review.
Even Boro’s bench look bemused it was not ruled out.
But like Taylor on the field, VAR Stuart Attwell adjudged the handball to be accidental – because the ball came off the player’s body onto his arm.
And as Watmore didn’t score, the Championship side levelled, to the delight of the 9,443 travelling fans.
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The change in the wording of the laws of the game last summer meant it could not be overruled.
The update, explained on the Premier League website, says: “If an attacking player’s accidental handball immediately precedes another player scoring, the goal will now be awarded, when last season it was likely to have been ruled out.
“However, a player will still be penalised if he commits an accidental handball immediately before scoring himself.”
Apoplectic Cristiano Ronaldo led the angry protests with his United team-mates as they surrounded ref Taylor.
But their complaints came to nothing and the goal was given.
United legend Rio Ferdinand and rested goalkeeper David De Gea were having none of it.
Ferdinand tweeted: “What’s the point of VAR…” followed by a poo emoji.
De Gea shared the post and simply added a shocked emoji.
And Alex Bruce was having none of it.
The former United youth-team defender and Hull City stalwart fumed on BBC Radio: “You can clearly see Duncan Watmore, the ball has popped up and hit his hand as he sets it up.
“It hits his hand, oh my gosh he has given the goal. I don’t believe it.
“You can clearly see as the ball comes into the box!”
Lee Dixon added on ITV: “Watmore’s touch wasn’t the best and he controls it with his hand.
“It has to be given as handball. If that was a defender it would be a penalty.”
Gary Lineker added on Twitter: “The right decision given the absurdity of the law. Clearly accidental but If he’d scored himself it would have been disallowed.
“The handball law used to be fine. They’ve made it ridiculous.”
The decision proved crucial as Middlesbrough held on for penalties.
Anthony Elanga missed after 15 successful spot-kicks as the Red Devils crashed out.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
