Why did Newcastle not get a penalty for Gabriel's handball?

2 hours ago 30

ByTasnim Chowdhury

BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United were not given a penalty in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal, despite appeals for a late penalty for handball at St James' Park.

Arsenal's Gabriel attempted a slide tackle on Anthony Elanga when the ball hit his outstretched arm in the penalty area.

Referee Jarred Gillett ruled that it was not a penalty, which was confirmed by the video assistant referee (VAR).

The Premier League Match Centre, on X, said: "The referee's call of no penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the ball deemed to have deflected off Gabriel's shin and onto his arm."

A new Premier League rule, introduced in 2024, states that not every touch of a player's hand or arm with the ball is an offence.

The revised rule defines what movement does not constitute as a handball offence, these are:

Justifiable position/action
Player plays ball onto own arm
Supportive arm
Clear change of ball trajectory when touched by same player
Played by a team-mate
Proximity

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "My first thought was yes, it's handball. I have seen it again and in a normal world, I am giving a penalty there."

"Elanga is having that strike and it's coming off Gabriel onto his arm," explains Match of the Day pundit and former Manchester City striker, Ellen White.

"It's deflected off his shin onto his arm - which means that is not a penalty and it is the correct decision from the referee, confirmed and checked by VAR."

Thanks to Toby in Greece and David in Northumberland for the question.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United's cross is blocked by the arm of Gabriel of Arsenal, resulting in a penalty check for handball during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal

What is Ask Me Anything?

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.

We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.

Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.