Match feature: Leaders tamed, now for the play-offs

[Paul_Davis_(Millers_]

https://bit.ly/2ENEgjl

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

"The ball hit his arm"

So not a penalty then?

[wrinkly]

"The ball hit his arm"

So not a penalty then?

If he moved his arm into the path of the ball and the ball hit it - yes, a penalty.

[Grist_To_The_Mill]

If he moved his arm into the path of the ball and the ball hit it - yes, a penalty.

That's his arm hitting the ball not the ball hitting his arm.

[wrinkly]

The handball rule only states that it is a foul if the handball is deliberate.

David Ellary said:

"If the ball hits the arm then the referee must decide whether this action was deliberate to block the ball or whether the player has raised their arms to protect themselves"

Graham Poll said:

"I was taught to think 'hand to ball' when learning the laws to become a referee, but now you have to disregard that.

So how have referees changed their stance without a change to law?

The body who change law are the International Football Association Board , which is comprised of eight members who all have one vote.

They are the federations (or FAs) of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales plus four votes for FIFA. As well as approve or ratify law changes they also issue guidelines or interpretations - advice to referees.

Regarding handball they now ask the referee to consider the proximity of the potential offender to the person last playing the ball, the speed of the ball and importantly whether the offender's arms are in a natural or unnatural position.

So the question of intent is now, did the offender deliberately place his arms in an unnatural position to increase the chances of the ball hitting him?

f the answer to that is yes then it is correct to penalise that player even though it used to be argued that was ball to hand."