GARY LINEKER has claimed the handball law will be simplified ahead of the 2023-24 season.
Manchester United were awarded a penalty for a controversial handball during Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Jack Grealish was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box at the half-hour mark, despite his arm seemingly being in a natural position following a header from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Bruno Fernandes converted, much to City’s frustration.
And ITV pundit Lee Dixon called it the “worst penalty in history penalties”.
The current handball law states that a player will be penalised if they “deliberately touch the ball with their hand/arm,” or if they “touch the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.”
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FA rules also say: “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.”
However, Lineker has since suggested that the “absurd” law will soon be changed.
When addressing the controversial handball decision on the BBC, the former England and Leicester striker said: “It is probably technically right in the way the law is now but I’m sure we all agree that the law is a absurdity at present.
“I have it on very reliable information that they are going to simplify that law.
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“Almost go back to where it was, common sense.
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“I think it’s absurd that idea of a natural position unless it’s not attached to your body then it’s in a natural position.”
Several pundits were quick to blast the decision to award the penalty.
Dixon blasted: “That’s the worst penalty in the history of penalties. I don’t care what the rule book says, it’s not a penalty.”
While BBC’s Jermaine Jenas said: “Yes it’s hit his hand, yes his hand is in the air, but it’s not a penalty for me.”
Man City went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to a stunning double from Ilkay Gundogan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
