“A rule which is killing the game.” This was Roy Hodgson’s damning criticism of the new handball rule, following Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday. It seemed the footballing world had peaked in terms of its universal despise of the new rule. Then, on Sunday, in the dying embers of Tottenham v Newcastle, Eric Dier was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area – despite having his back to the ball whilst jumping for a header.
As the world seems – for once – united, perhaps it is time to take a step back and re-evaluate. Why has this new rule been introduced? Is the new handball rule really ruining the game? Finally, should we revert to the previous handball rule, lamented for its ambiguity and consequently inconsistent decisions?
First and foremost, it is important to understand that the new handball rule is only new to English football. The rule, implemented by IFAB (International Football Association Board) and FIFA, have been in place prior to this season in other countries and leagues across the world.
The decision for the Premier League to change its laws surrounding handball derives from a general request by IFAB to ensure that rules are consistent around the globe. Simply, we are aligning our laws of the game with the rest of the world.
The one major criticism over the newly implemented rule is the drastic increase in penalties, especially for handball. In the first three weeks of this season, 20 penalties have been awarded – six for handball – whereas only eight penalties had been awarded at this stage last season, with none whatsoever for handball.
As we look across the continent, to Europe’s other major leagues, last season shows a clear distinction in handball penalties with the Premier League in comparison to La Liga and Serie A. The Premier League, operating under the “old” rule, awarded 19 penalties for handball. On the other hand, La Liga and Serie A, having implemented the new handball rule, awarded 48 and 57 penalties for handball respectively.
Whilst these numbers are stark, perhaps a more revealing comparison would be to look to Germany and the Bundesliga – where the handball rule has been in operation for the last two seasons. Granted, in the first season of operation, the total number of penalties awarded rose to 91. However, last season only 73 penalties were awarded in total in the Bundesliga, for all offences.
As the world seems – for once – united, perhaps it is time to take a step back and re-evaluate. Why has this new rule been introduced? Is the new handball rule really ruining the game? Finally, should we revert to the previous handball rule, lamented for its ambiguity and consequently inconsistent decisions?
First and foremost, it is important to understand that the new handball rule is only new to English football. The rule, implemented by IFAB (International Football Association Board) and FIFA, have been in place prior to this season in other countries and leagues across the world.
The decision for the Premier League to change its laws surrounding handball derives from a general request by IFAB to ensure that rules are consistent around the globe. Simply, we are aligning our laws of the game with the rest of the world.
The one major criticism over the newly implemented rule is the drastic increase in penalties, especially for handball. In the first three weeks of this season, 20 penalties have been awarded – six for handball – whereas only eight penalties had been awarded at this stage last season, with none whatsoever for handball.
As we look across the continent, to Europe’s other major leagues, last season shows a clear distinction in handball penalties with the Premier League in comparison to La Liga and Serie A. The Premier League, operating under the “old” rule, awarded 19 penalties for handball. On the other hand, La Liga and Serie A, having implemented the new handball rule, awarded 48 and 57 penalties for handball respectively.
Whilst these numbers are stark, perhaps a more revealing comparison would be to look to Germany and the Bundesliga – where the handball rule has been in operation for the last two seasons. Granted, in the first season of operation, the total number of penalties awarded rose to 91. However, last season only 73 penalties were awarded in total in the Bundesliga, for all offences.
Despite his side benefitting from the new rule last weekend, Steve Bruce lamented the new handball rule, stating a fear for when it happens to his own side
These numbers clearly show that once the players adapted to the rule change, it had a much less significant impact on the overall game. It took a season to bed in, but now the Bundesliga is flourishing under these new rules. After all, Bayern Munich won the Champions League only a few months ago and, importantly, the Champions League follows IFAB’s handball rule.
The increase in handball penalties is an obvious short-term issue, yet it should be expected to settle down before long. One only needs to look to youth football: once the offside rule is introduced, offsides are plentiful until players learn to adapt to the new rule. It would not be surprising to see La Liga and Serie A handball penalties drop significantly this term, following the Bundesliga’s example.
Another rebuke towards the handball rule is the growing tendency of players to defend their penalty area with their hands behind their back. This is not a new trend. For years, players have been defending in this manner in order to prevent penalties. Most commonly, defenders from English clubs have striven to do this in European competitions, namely the Europa League and Champions League. This is because the handball rule that is now in place in the Premier League has been in place in these tournaments for some time.
With this in mind, it can only logically be argued that the growing numbers of defenders who move toward defending in this manner will only aid themselves, and consequently their teams, when defending in the Champions League. Bar Liverpool’s success in the Champions League in 2019, English clubs have somewhat struggled to match their European counterparts over the last few years (potential backlink?) and this change in defending could help in bridging the gap.
The increase in handball penalties is an obvious short-term issue, yet it should be expected to settle down before long. One only needs to look to youth football: once the offside rule is introduced, offsides are plentiful until players learn to adapt to the new rule. It would not be surprising to see La Liga and Serie A handball penalties drop significantly this term, following the Bundesliga’s example.
Another rebuke towards the handball rule is the growing tendency of players to defend their penalty area with their hands behind their back. This is not a new trend. For years, players have been defending in this manner in order to prevent penalties. Most commonly, defenders from English clubs have striven to do this in European competitions, namely the Europa League and Champions League. This is because the handball rule that is now in place in the Premier League has been in place in these tournaments for some time.
With this in mind, it can only logically be argued that the growing numbers of defenders who move toward defending in this manner will only aid themselves, and consequently their teams, when defending in the Champions League. Bar Liverpool’s success in the Champions League in 2019, English clubs have somewhat struggled to match their European counterparts over the last few years (potential backlink?) and this change in defending could help in bridging the gap.
Southampton were awarded a penalty on September 20 when Moussa Djenepo seemingly flicked the ball up towards Matt Doherty's arm from close range. Yet, according to the new rules, such a play from Doherty, accidental or not, must be penalised
Furthermore, the clarity that the rule change provides is undeniable. Penalties awarded for handball, whether we agree with the rule or not, are clear. Crucially, this is what we have asked for. We want consistency and clarity and have demanded as much. This rule provides that.
We only need to look back on Eric Dier’s handball against Newcastle on Sunday. As referee Peter Bankes jogged over to the VAR screen to review the incident, no one was doubting what decision would be made. It was clear for all to see. The only outrage came from the fact that the footballing community did not believe Dier should have been penalised for the ball hitting his arm in that manner. This, for many, does not constitute handball.
Yet, if football was created today and the rules had to be created from scratch, the fledgling sport would surely accept this as an illegitimate handball. If the ball hits an arm that is outside of a natural position, intentional or not, it would be most likely considered a handball. For all of its supposed flaws, it makes more sense than trying to interpret intention – something that can only ever truly be known to one person: the offender.
Perhaps this is where the greatest controversy lies. The new rule still ties itself to the word “intentional”. If a player’s arm is outside of his body silhouette, they are considered to intentionally have handled the ball. However, as we know, this is not necessarily the case. Dier’s handball is, again, an obvious example. Facing away from the ball, he would have had no intention to intercept Andy Carroll’s header with his arm. In fact, Dier clearly had no idea where the ball was coming from, the ball had escaped his vision as he lost the aerial duel with Carroll.
We only need to look back on Eric Dier’s handball against Newcastle on Sunday. As referee Peter Bankes jogged over to the VAR screen to review the incident, no one was doubting what decision would be made. It was clear for all to see. The only outrage came from the fact that the footballing community did not believe Dier should have been penalised for the ball hitting his arm in that manner. This, for many, does not constitute handball.
Yet, if football was created today and the rules had to be created from scratch, the fledgling sport would surely accept this as an illegitimate handball. If the ball hits an arm that is outside of a natural position, intentional or not, it would be most likely considered a handball. For all of its supposed flaws, it makes more sense than trying to interpret intention – something that can only ever truly be known to one person: the offender.
Perhaps this is where the greatest controversy lies. The new rule still ties itself to the word “intentional”. If a player’s arm is outside of his body silhouette, they are considered to intentionally have handled the ball. However, as we know, this is not necessarily the case. Dier’s handball is, again, an obvious example. Facing away from the ball, he would have had no intention to intercept Andy Carroll’s header with his arm. In fact, Dier clearly had no idea where the ball was coming from, the ball had escaped his vision as he lost the aerial duel with Carroll.
'It's an absolute DISGRACE. Whoever's involved in this, STOP IT, because you are ruining football for everybody' were the words uttered by Jamie Carragher upon the awarding of Newcastle's penalty against Spurs
So, it may be here where the new handball rule needs to change, by severing its links with the old rule. Remove the word intentional from the guidelines. In its place, use the term gaining an advantage - the wording used for offside. For Dier’s offence, his arm did alter the direction of the ball, which allowed Spurs to clear. In this case, Spurs gained an advantage from the use of Dier’s arm. This feels much more clear-cut, and much less controversial.
The footballing world continues to outrage over this new rule, despite demanding clarity. Whether it will remain in the English game long-term remains to be seen, although it is likely to continue to be in affect across the rest of Europe. However, in England, it should continue throughout the season at the very least.
Firstly, we cannot change the rules part-way through the season. It is unjust for teams who have been penalised and would attack the integrity of the Premier League. Also, more strikingly, those enraged by the new rule would have the opportunity to watch as the number of penalties falls remarkably short from the prediction at its current rate. Like with children learning the offside rule, once players adapt, they will be penalised less.
At first glance, the new handball rule seems to be destructive, unfair and has been described as ruining the spectacle of the game. The jury may be out on its long-term future, but with change comes not only negatives but positives, too. That, we have already seen. It is high time we begin to look for them.
The footballing world continues to outrage over this new rule, despite demanding clarity. Whether it will remain in the English game long-term remains to be seen, although it is likely to continue to be in affect across the rest of Europe. However, in England, it should continue throughout the season at the very least.
Firstly, we cannot change the rules part-way through the season. It is unjust for teams who have been penalised and would attack the integrity of the Premier League. Also, more strikingly, those enraged by the new rule would have the opportunity to watch as the number of penalties falls remarkably short from the prediction at its current rate. Like with children learning the offside rule, once players adapt, they will be penalised less.
At first glance, the new handball rule seems to be destructive, unfair and has been described as ruining the spectacle of the game. The jury may be out on its long-term future, but with change comes not only negatives but positives, too. That, we have already seen. It is high time we begin to look for them.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back