Handball law to be reworded

BeSoccer 5 years ago 855 |

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The law concerning non-deliberate handballs is due to change. AFP

A new wording on handball is set to be introduced next week in an attempt to end confusion over 'deliberate' contact with the ball. Man City's win over Schalke was marred by controversy.

Manchester City's win over Schalke in the Champions League has sparked debate over the handball rule as VAR awarded a penalty against Nicolas Otamendi after he was deemed to have handled the ball, despite seeming to have attempted to move his arm out of the way of the ball.

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA's chief refereeing officer stated that if defenders used their arms to enlarge their bodies, officials would be within their rights to penalise such an offence. However, a new handball law will be passed in Aberdeen on March 2 which will aim to clarify the law and reduce any blurred lines surrounding the regulations.

The technical director of the International FA Board, David Elleray spoke to reporters to give more details.

“We will be identifying those areas were non-deliberate contact will be penalised and when it won’t be."

“There will still of course be a reference to deliberate handball, there has never been any discussion about getting rid of that, and any deliberate handball will be penalised in any situation.”