On Friday, Spain beat Germany 2-1 within the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, however ought to the hosts have had a penalty in further time?
Jamal Musiala tried a shot on aim from outdoors the world, which was blocked by Marc Cucurella‘s hand.
So, why was a penalty not given by the VAR?
Spain 2-1 Germany
Potential handball: Cucurella stops Musiala’s shot
What occurred: Musiala tried a shot on aim in further time, within the a hundred and fifth minute, from outdoors the world, which was blocked by Cucurella. Germany’s gamers appealed for a penalty for handball, however referee Anthony Taylor waved away the appeals. The VAR, Stuart Attwell, checked for a doable spot kick.
VAR determination: No penalty.
VAR Overview: It is the place we have got to within the trendy recreation. When is the ball hitting the arm “handball,” and when is not it?
This example presents two conditions in successive video games with Germany, each which had Attwell because the VAR. One resulted in a penalty, the opposite did not. So what is the distinction, and why?
Let’s cowl the primary one within the spherical of 16, when Denmark’s Joachim Andersen gave away a penalty when the ball touched him arm from a David Raum cross.
UEFA says that if the arm is in a raised place (or horizontal) making a barrier to cease the ball, that is not explainable by physique place, then the referee and/or VAR ought to advise a spot kick. If UEFA did not consider that was an accurate determination, Attwell would not be within the video chair for this recreation.
Within the pre-tournament briefing, Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s head of referees, gave particular examples of handball penalties. Rosetti confirmed a clip of the ball hitting a defender’s arm which was in a vertical place, near the physique. He stated this shouldn’t be a penalty and if the arm is near the physique, and never prolonged to create what may very well be deemed a barrier, this shouldn’t be punished.
It was very near the Cucurella incident. Whereas handball in UEFA competitions stays extra strict, it has tried to provide not less than some extra leeway to defenders in order that they need not have their hand behind their again.
So a defender in a standing place when the ball hits their arm at or near their aspect, in place vertically and/or with the arm behind the road of the physique shouldn’t be punished.
The issue? The ball hitting the arm of Andersen from pretty shut vary, with minimal contact, when in a operating movement, appears much less acceptable that giving a penalty towards Cucurella for stopping a shot on aim.
However, prefer it or not, in each cases the choice has been given as UEFA expects.