Liverpool Penalty Claim Denied After VAR Review, Rule Explanation Emerges
Madrid, Spain – November 29, 2023 – A controversial decision not to award Liverpool a penalty during their recent match against real Madrid has sparked debate, wiht explanations now surfacing regarding the application of the handball rule and the subsequent VAR review. The incident, occurring within the penalty area, initially appeared to be a potential foul but was ultimately overturned, leading to a drop ball and continued play.
The situation centers on a challenge involving Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni, where the ball struck his arm. While a penalty was initially considered, VAR official dale Johnson advised referee István Kovács to review the play for a possible penalty instead of a free kick – a crucial distinction. Ultimately, Kovács rescinded his initial assessment, deciding against awarding a penalty to Liverpool. According to Johnson, the review resolute that Tchouaméni, despite moving his arm away from his body, maintained it in a position that didn’t unduly expand his body surface or create an obstruction.
“He could judge that, even though Tchouaméni’s arm was indeed moved away from his body when the ball hit his wrist, he still kept it close to him, did not increase his body surface too much, i.e. did not form a horizontal obstacle in the path of the ball,” explained a source familiar with the VAR review process.This interpretation of the rule, while possibly surprising to some, led to the decision to allow play to continue from the goalkeeper.
The decision has drawn criticism from many, including former premier League referees, who believe a penalty should have been awarded given the promising attacking position for Liverpool. “It may be surprising, but a good decision was made, and since it was considered an overruled penalty, the game could really continue from the goalkeeper,” the source added. The incident highlights the ongoing complexities and often subjective nature of interpreting the handball rule in modern football, and the meaningful impact VAR decisions can have on high-stakes matches.
