Mild-mannered Declan Rice told it as it is – players don’t want VAR – although he may have been better off pointing his finger at the new handball rule which is a total joke and presumably the invention of those who have never played the game!
After Robert Snodgrass’ injury-time effort was ruled out because the ball struck Rice’s arm in the build-up – or more explicitly was headed into his arm – Rice made his feelings very clear.
Speaking to Sky Sports, added: “I’ve just watched it back. He has knocked the ball into my hand. If you are running with your arms like that with the rules as they are now it is handball, but it is not intentional. It is a kick in the teeth.
“I think they are the thoughts of every Premier League player, not just me – pretty much everyone doesn’t want VAR in the game.
“There have been so many decisions this season that have been absolutely crazy. They were celebrating VAR like it was a goal and football should not be like that.”
VAR has big drawbacks as everybody knows but this new handball rule is just entirely obnoxious and has been responsible for at least three lost Hammers goals this season via Michail Antonio and now Rice.
It should always be the referee’s job to spot deliberate handball rather than be the victim of a rule which says that whenever it hits the hand – accidentally or otherwise – it’s handball. It leaves the official nowhere to go whatever his personal feelings.
Ludicrous, and we may soon be are approaching the point where referees aren’t going to be needed at all. Rice had made a brilliant run to set the goal up for Snodgrass and to have the ball headed into his arm and then seeing it ruled out is really the injustice of injustices.
Call me an excuse maker for defeat if you want, I don’t care – this is just wrong and the rule makers are killing the game.
It’s simply becoming a video game!
The handball rule is clear and VAR, however much we dislike it, just confirmed it.
What keeps hurting us more is the inability to convert the few clear cut chances that we do create and it is that, not VAR, which will ultimately define our season.
Mite be clear Ajay but doesn’t alter the fact it’s WRONG
I agree totally Hugh and there has got to be some serious discussions during the close season about how it changes.
But those discussions should also apply to both the handball and offside rules, because VAR is only ruling on those as they stand.
No!
It has nothing to do with VAR, per se.
Last night’s issue is simply due to the hidden ref’s lack of knowledge and or understanding of the actual new law. The relevant part is the very last sentence under Deflections, below:
“Handballs
Any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or arm will be disallowed this season even if it is accidental.
The handball rule now has extra clarity because it does not consider intent by a player.
Another big change is to do with the position of a player’s hand/arm.
If the ball hits a player who has made their body “unnaturally bigger” then a foul will be awarded.
IFAB says that having the hand/arm above shoulder height is rarely a “natural” position and a player is “taking a risk” by having the hand/arm in that position, including when sliding.
It is, however, considered natural for a player to put their arm between their body and the ground for support when falling, so long as the arm is not extended to make the body bigger.
Deflections
Premier League players will be allowed extra leeway when it comes to ricocheted handballs.
It is often impossible to avoid contact with the ball if it has deflected off the body of an opponent, team-mate, or even another part of the own player.
So a handball will not be awarded if the ball touches a player’s hand/arm directly from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player who is close/nearby. “
As already evidenced on many occasions, the operation of VAR already requires considerable improvement. Not least that the ‘live’ referee should be the one who reviews and decides any decision.
AspiEd, the first paragraph is definitive. No goal for handball wheter intentional or not.
The paragraph about deflection states no free kick will be awarded but does not say a goal will be allowed to stand.
It’s typical small print that’s vague at best, misleading at worst. Either way it’s a game and soul destroying rule and whoever made it up needs to be shown the door.
COYI ⚒⚒
I agree Hugh there should be a clear distinction between accidental & intentional handball as was before.Obviously we West Ham fan’s are p….d off about this as to my knowledge that’s 2 times perfectly good goals have now been ruled out,but other teams will also suffer from this ludicrous rule so let’s hope they shelve this or at least give refs play back to decide accidental or intentional
Read the section on Deflections Ajay
then it is not so clear ?
Actually, having read the actual law rather than the Premier League’s interpretation, I was wrong, myself.
First is “Handball”
Second is the “Deflections” caveat
THIRD is the “yeah, but” caveat:
“The following will not usually be a free kick, unless they are one of the above ”
So, “following” includes Deflections; “one of the above” includes lead to creation of goal-scoring opportunity.
We are therefore left with the badly operated VAR system correctly interpreting a seemingly endless stream of changing laws, fit for what or whose purpose?
What’s clear to me we need to sort out our midfield. Last night proved it. We lost control of our midfield and were left wanting at the back. We either blood some of the U23 or we buy. I couldn’t believe how slow we were last night. Ok we could have won the game 2.1 we the last minute goal and Anderson’s clear run at goal. The bad mistake cost us the game.
Party because we played 5 at the back.
Sorry but that was a clear handball.
The Sheffield player had basically cleared the ball – were it not for Rice’s hand.. Rice then goes on to set up a goal.
As annoying as it is i agree with this decision. I was saying last season or season before that if a goal is scored via a handball then it shouldn’t matter if it’s intentional or not – it should be ruled out.
The rules are spot on imo, annoying hearing all this ******** being spouted by everyone.
The ball was headed against his arm which was in a natural position. Rice had no chance of moving his arm out of the way. Why should Rice be punished when he’s done no wrong? The rule needs changing.
Sorry your interpretation of the rules are wrong and that’s your opinion. If you want football players to run with there hands tied behind there backs? That was a goal the defender headed the ball onto Rices arms and the momentum of him running it hit his arm. You have to remember all this happens in seconds. The decision in my opinion was a goal.
VAR is a good thing if used properly, e.g. for penalty decisions, but for god sake the handball rule is insane. It was played against his and hand he could do nothing about it. Not to mention he didn’t actually score it. I now feel i have to hold my breath and count to 30 whenever we score a goal.
Anyway, now the FA has made their bed they must be made to lie in it. We should monitor all of these decisions and then threaten to sue them the minute it appears inconsistency or license is used to award a goal in the same circumstances. Last nights ridiculous decision could be very costly indeed.