Expert slams ‘joke’ law as controversial Tottenham image analysed – ‘It’s farcical’
Danny Mills has insisted Tottenham deserved their penalty in the 1-0 win over Burnley earlier this month (14 May).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender claimed the handball law is a “joke” but the referee was right to award Spurs a spot-kick for Ashley Barnes’ handball.
The ball struck Barnes’ arm after Davinson Sanchez attempted a pass while in the Burnley penalty area.
Harry Kane converted from the spot to give Spurs the three points that helped them finish in the top four.
“The handball law has always been a joke,” Mills said after analysing the footage with Football Insider‘s Connor Whitley.
“It was made farcical a couple of seasons ago and now everybody is unravelling it and trying to make it understandable. Nobody understands it and how it is supposed to be interpreted, it’s very, very difficult.
“But when you look at this one, he’s got his arms up, he’s made himself bigger and the ball was going towards the goal.
“My argument would always be, if that is on the line and it clips his arm and goes onto the crossbar, should it be a penalty? Yes would be the answer. Why would it not be a penalty if it’s 12-yards out?
“Sometimes the answer will be no because the arm may be down by the side so it is not a penalty.
“You can’t say it’s handball if it’s on the goal line and not if it is on the 18-yard line. Handball is within the penalty area so, therefore, play to those laws.
“Nobody would have disagreed if it was on the goal line and it clipped his hand and went on to the post or crossbar.
“Handball is always going to be very difficult because your arms are attached to your body. They’ve got to go somewhere. It’s very difficult to make a slide, lunge etc. without putting your arms out because they are there for balance.
“If you gain any sort of advantage if it hits your arm then I think it should be a penalty. Whether it’s intentional and wherever your hand is, if you get an advantage then it should be a penalty.”
In other news, an England international has agreed to take a pay cut to join Tottenham as terms are agreed.