DAVID MOYES has called for football chiefs to change the “crazy” handball law.
The West Ham boss was livid after VAR ruled out an injury-time equaliser for his side in Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United.
Declan Rice was shown to have handled the ball during West Ham’s defeat at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Rex Features
David Moyes was not impressed after the late West Ham strike was chalked offCredit: Reuters
Robert Snodgrass’ strike was chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee after replays showed Blades defender John Egan headed the ball against Declan Rice’s arm from point-blank range in the build-up.
Under the new handball laws introduced this season by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), it was the correct decision.
But Moyes felt the goal should have stood, while Hammers midfielder Rice branded the handball call “absolutely crazy” and a “real kick in the teeth”.
And asked if Ifab should discuss changing the law at their annual meeting in Belfast on February 29, Moyes said: “I think they should.
“We need to try and get them to change this ruling.
“We aren’t comfortable with it and at the moment there is a big campaign to try and change this ruling.
“There are lots of things we are not comfortable with. There is part of it where it can hit another defender’s arm and it won’t be a penalty.
“I could argue it wasn’t even in the same phase. Declan broke through, then it hit his arm. He went on again, then there were three defenders behind the ball.
“We’ve been very unlucky there. We warranted a goal.
“I’d be surprised if there weren’t people in Ifab that weren’t ex-managers or ex-players but it looks like it is a law that nobody is really enjoying that much.”
Gutted Rice, 20, claimed: “Every Premier League player doesn’t want to have VAR.”
And even Blades boss Chris Wilder had sympathy for the Hammers.
Ifab updated the handball law for this season.
Now, “any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or arm will be disallowed — even if it is accidental.
“The handball rule now has extra clarity because it does not consider intent by a player.”
But Moyes added: “I thought it was a deserved equaliser — it looked a good goal for me.
“Declan does great, powering through the middle and does everything right — good pass and good finish.
“I’ve seen the replay and it still looks a really good goal. If you’ve played football and you’ve been there and are a football man, then it can only be a goal.
Moyes and Chris Wilder both questioned the validity of the offside lawCredit: Rex Features
“The defender did well to get back at Declan, heads it and tries to clear it, and it hits Declan’s arm.
“It used to be that defenders defended with their hands behind their back, should all players on the pitch do that now? It was a good goal.”
Rice wrote on Twitter: “He’s headed the ball on to my arm?! Where am I supposed to put it if I’m in a running motion?
“Really don’t get it — gutted.”
David Moyes says he has unfinished business at West Ham as he speaks in first press conference
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
