18 hours ago
5
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate had a goal ruled out for handball during the Champions League encounter with Inter Milan.
Konate believed he had given the Reds the lead at the San Siro when he converted from a set piece with a close-range header. The moment the ball crossed the line, Inter players immediately surrounded referee Felix Zwayer, protesting about a handball.
Konate wasn't at fault as the ball struck Hugo Ekitike's arm before reaching the Liverpool defender's path. Yet upon further examination, it was Virgil van Dijk who had directed the ball onto Ekitike's arm from close quarters, before the French center-back netted past Inter keeper Yann Sommer with his header. Following an extensive VAR check, Zwayer ruled the goal out.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg revealed he would have permitted the goal had he been officiating, while acknowledging that UEFA interprets the handball regulation differently.
"It's an interesting one, because as the player is jumping, his arm does come out for elevation," Clattenberg remarked during Amazon Prime Video's match coverage.
"It will just be the argument 'was this a deliberate handball' or not, because that handball does go to a teammate, so it gets rid of the argument that he scores the goal direct from the accidental handball.
"So it will only be, 'Is this arm in a natural position for jumping when the ball hits the arm?' What you do see is a slight movement of the arm toward the ball.
"I think this could end up being disallowed because of that movement of that arm going toward the ball makes the ball go toward his teammate to score the goal."
Clattenburg further commented: "In the Premier League this would not be given as a handball. However, in UEFA football, especially Champions League, they punish handball a lot stricter."
UEFA provided a brief explanation for the decision to disallow the goal, stating: "VAR review complete. Decision overturned: goal disallowed. Goal disallowed - handball offence.
"Liverpool's player, No. 22, touched the ball with his left arm, which was in an unnatural position, out of the body in the build-up to the goal."
Fortunately for Liverpool, the decision didn't stop Arne Slot's players from winning.
Dominik Szoboszlai's 88th-minute penalty was enough to secure a crucial 1-0 win in Italy and keep Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the round of 16 alive.
Liverpool's next game is against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday.
English (US) ·