Ex-Premier League referee demands laws are rewritten after Man United star Scott McTominay controversy
The handball law needs to be rewritten after Man United midfielder Scott McTominay won a penalty during Scotland’s 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland on Saturday (24 September).
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after McTominay’s tussle with Alan Browne resulted in a Scotland penalty.
The ball struck Browne’s arm after a close-range header from McTominay and Scotland were awarded a penalty after a VAR review.
As quoted by BBC Sport after the game, Stephen Kenny suggested that the Preston North End captain had been pushed.
“We’ve got the ball striking the hands of players and the referee’s are automatically giving handball,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“The law allows a degree of tolerance, it uses the word deliberate in recognition.
“The question here is, was he pushed? That’s another one.
“I think that they have got a cause to be slightly aggrieved. Ultimately, at the end of the day, the handball law is a nonsense.
“Browne does go in initially with his hand up so he’s sending a signal. If you look at his left hand, it goes up.
“Is that to gain elevation? Or, to prevent the ball passing? That hand is there.
“I think these are particularly difficult decisions for the referee to make. I can find a reason to give it and a reason not to give it, that’s how difficult it is for referees.
“The law and the way it is written, ultimately, is a nonsense. You can justify it either way.
“He’s using his arm to gain elevation but because it’s more vertical than horizontal, that’s a signal to the referee so he’s alert to where he’s going and where the ball strikers.
“They are erring to give penalty kicks rather than not.”
In other news, Man United have set their sights on signing an Aston Villa star and £45million will seal the deal.