The incident involving the controversial handball penalty awarded against Newcastle in their match against PSG has sparked widespread debate and scrutiny. The VAR official, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, who was involved in the decision-making process, has faced criticism and has since been stood down from his scheduled game.
During the match, Kwiatkowski called referee Szymon Marciniak to review a potential handball committed by Tino Livramento. Initially, the referee did not award a penalty, but upon reviewing the incident on the screen, he reversed his decision and awarded the spot-kick to PSG. This decision ultimately allowed Kylian Mbappe to equalize in the dying moments of added time, leaving Newcastle’s fate out of their own hands.
The aftermath of this controversial decision has seen various individuals within the football community express their frustration. Tim Sherwood, a former Tottenham Hotspur manager, described the decision as “disgusting,” highlighting the strong emotions elicited by the incident. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe also voiced his disappointment, believing that referee Marciniak could have shown more strength in disregarding Kwiatkowski’s advice.
Eddie Howe went on to mention the “extreme” pressure exerted on the referee by the PSG players during the match. He later criticized the decision, which cost his team two crucial points, labeling it as “poor” during his post-match press conference. The ramifications of this penalty decision are significant for Newcastle, as a victory in Paris would have given them control over their own fate in the Champions League. Instead, they now must defeat AC Milan in their final group game and hope for a positive result between Dortmund and PSG to progress to the knockout stages.
Amidst the controversy, it’s worth noting that there are guidelines established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) regarding handball offenses. While these guidelines provide a framework for determining whether a handball has occurred, individual leagues may have their own interpretations and variations. It is essential to consider these variances in assessing the validity of handball decisions in different competitions.
It is an offence if a player:
- deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball
- touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised
- scores in the opponents’ goal: Directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper or immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental
In conclusion, the handball penalty decision in the PSG vs Newcastle match has generated considerable discussion within the football community. The removal of VAR official Tomasz Kwiatkowski from the upcoming game highlights the scrutiny surrounding the incident. As the debate continues, it is crucial for the sport’s governing bodies to reflect on and refine the criteria for handball offenses, ensuring consistent and fair decision-making across different competitions.
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