Personally think it should be HB.Fantastic call in real time for the non penalty for Saka.
With regards to the handball, unless we can absolutely prove that Raya was taking the goal kick as opposed to passing it to Gabriel to take then it's absolutely correct to use a bit of common sense for me.
Personally think it should be HB.
But if not then perhaps some action for DRP.
Also if you're not penalising it then what if they do it again immediately after citing changed mind on taker again.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves, this happens moments after the signal is given to restart play. I cant see much more than a ball in play that shouldn't be handled by the defender.
I think it was good refereeing but also could have been given as a HB. Think players were extremely lucky. Will probably be used as a clip for ref training in the future!Personally think it should be HB.
But if not then perhaps some action for DRP.
Also if you're not penalising it then what if they do it again immediately after citing changed mind on taker again.
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves, this happens moments after the signal is given to restart play. I cant see much more than a ball in play that shouldn't be handled by the defender.
The criteria for taking a Goal Kick had clearly been met. This is a binary consideration and not the Ref's problem. The appeal by the opposition players leaves the Referee with no choice.. We'll always be harangued by players when one Ref applies the Law one week, but another does not do the same thing the next week. I've just torn Law 16 out of the book. Only page 11 regarding some 'philosophy stuff' and a few other pages we arbitrarily and fastidiously adhere to are left in the pamphletFantastic call in real time for the non penalty for Saka.
With regards to the handball, unless we can absolutely prove that Raya was taking the goal kick as opposed to passing it to Gabriel to take then it's absolutely correct to use a bit of common sense for me.
You've become very angry in the last 2 days - I like it!The criteria for taking a Goal Kick had clearly been met. This is a binary consideration and not the Ref's problem. The appeal by the opposition players leaves the Referee with no choice.. We'll always be harangued by players when one Ref applies the Law one week, but another does not do the same thing the next week. I've just torn Law 16 out of the book. Only page 11 regarding some 'philosophy stuff' and a few other pages we arbitrarily and fastidiously adhere to are left in the pamphlet
Saka should be banned for the return fixture, but they'd never do that as his absence might detract from the spectacle of the circus
I turn it on and off like a tapYou've become very angry in the last 2 days - I like it!
I'll just throw this in to the 'we need ex players involved in the VAR process' debate...
The decision not to award a penalty left TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown in disbelief.
"How has that not been given?" said ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand. "I can't believe, with VAR and everything, that's not been given.
"He's running through and that's a penalty. I'm in the stadium and I can't believe it - I'm walking around in disbelief with my hands on top of my head."
Former Arsenal defender Keown added: "If you had 10 top European referees here tonight, nine of them would've given it. This referee is the only one who hasn't given it - I find it quite alarming he's not given that penalty.
Also, I've not actually seen the goal kick / handball incident yet, I'm basing my opinion on the way it's been described.
Don't get me wrong.... despite my earlier comments, I'm not awarding a PK here either hahahaha. That said, depending on which way the wind is blowing, I might just think 'f*%^ it' and give the PK.... which is pretty much the inconsistency we've seen with this specific occurrence on TV.Different viewpoint from a Senior colleague (also happens to officiate at an elite level):
"more a case of excellent tactical awareness / understanding.
In this game, Arsenal had taken every short goal kick with a defender passing the ball to the GK, after the GK had provided the ball to the defender to take the kick (sometimes by foot, sometimes by hand).
This is an increasing tactic of many teams and Arsenal for one do it every game.
The referee whistles to get the attention of Arsenal and tell them to get moving. Arsenal responded by carrying out their usual goal kick routine…"
Just for balance, a bit of spot on punditry from Steve SidwellI'll just throw this in to the 'we need ex players involved in the VAR process' debate...
Edit: This is about the Saka incident
The decision not to award a penalty left TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Martin Keown in disbelief.
"How has that not been given?" said ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand. "I can't believe, with VAR and everything, that's not been given.
"He's running through and that's a penalty. I'm in the stadium and I can't believe it - I'm walking around in disbelief with my hands on top of my head."
Former Arsenal defender Keown added: "If you had 10 top European referees here tonight, nine of them would've given it. This referee is the only one who hasn't given it - I find it quite alarming he's not given that penalty.
Also, I've not actually seen the goal kick / handball incident yet, I'm basing my opinion on the way it's been described.
I think it would be interesting to see what narrative comes out.I think it was good refereeing but also could have been given as a HB. Think players were extremely lucky. Will probably be used as a clip for ref training in the future!
nobody wants this tie decided by a penalty call by the referee even if backed up by law.