Calls to Revise Premier League Law Grow Louder Amid Controversial Arsenal Penalty Decision

by · September 25, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Arsenal awarded a penalty during the North London derby against Tottenham, sparking controversy.
  • Tottenham showed resilience by not dwelling on the disputed penalty decision.
  • Pundits and experts criticize the current handball rules in football, calling for a reconsideration.
  • Former Premier League referee Mike Dean questions the consistency of handball decisions.
  • Arsenal manager Ange Postecoglou and others express confusion and dissatisfaction with the handball rule.

Controversial Penalty Decision Mars North London Derby

In a dramatic North London derby that ended in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, the spotlight fell squarely on a contentious penalty decision. Arsenal was awarded a second-half spot-kick after Tottenham defender Cristian Romero appeared to handle the ball inside the penalty area.

Tottenham’s Resilience in the Face of Controversy

Despite the uproar surrounding the decision, Tottenham received praise for their resilience. They quickly put the penalty setback behind them as Son Heung-Min equalized just seconds after Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka converted the penalty.

BBC pundit Garth Crooks acknowledged Tottenham’s maturity, highlighting that they refrained from sulking despite the perceived injustice of the penalty call. Crooks, however, did not mince words, labeling the penalty decision as “a joke” and calling for a reevaluation of the rule.

Pundits and Experts Call for Rule Change

Garth Crooks is not alone in his criticism of current handball rules. On ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Gary Lineker described the rule as “farcical” and emphasized the need for “common sense” to prevail. Alan Shearer was even more candid, declaring the “handball law is f****** hopeless.” However, Shearer placed the blame on the rule itself rather than the referees enforcing it.

Former Referee Weighs In

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean entered the debate, asserting that the recent handball decisions do not align with the official ruling. He pointed to the penalty awarded to Luton Town against Wolves, where the ball struck Joao Gomes’s leg before hitting his arm. Dean explained,

“I didn’t think it was [a penalty]… It hits him on his knee and maybe his chest first. I am surprised it wasn’t overturned.”

Confusion Over Handball Rule

Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, expressed his bewilderment with the handball rule, referencing the incident at Luton. He admitted,

“I couldnโ€™t see it but Iโ€™ve got no idea about the handball rule… Unless we start developing armless defenders I donโ€™t know how you are supposed to block things and be in a natural position.”

In conclusion, the controversial penalty decision in the North London derby has reignited the debate surrounding handball rules in football, with pundits, experts, and even former referees calling for a reassessment of the current regulations. The incident has left many in the footballing world perplexed and seeking greater clarity in the rules governing handball offenses.

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Tyler Potts

Tyler Potts is experienced football tipster and blogger. He has over two years of experience as a freelance football analyst and journalist. His hobbies include team sports, windsurfing and climbing. He loves the Bundesliga and the German national team. Tyler is invariable part of BettingIDโ€™s journalist team.

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