Expert panel gives verdict on controversial Man United goal after Harry Maguire handball row
· Yahoo Sports
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has supported the decision to award a Manchester United goal against Ipswich, despite a contentious handball involving Harry Maguire, although one panellist believed the use of the arm was deliberate.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
During United's 5-2 victory on 30 August, the ball appeared to strike Maguire’s hand as he brought it under control outside the 18-yard box. His subsequent shot was heading off-target before diverting into the net via Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves.
Match official Craig Pawson and VAR Jarred Gillett determined the handball to be accidental. Under current regulations, because Maguire did not score directly from his shot, the goal was permitted to stand.
Composed of three former players or coaches, a Premier League official, and a representative from Pro Ref, the independent panel is publishing its assessments of key match-week decisions for the first time this season.
The decision to allow Man United's second goal to stand following an apparent handball by Harry Maguire has been backed by an expert panel (Getty)In notes released on Wednesday morning, the panel stated: "Maguire’s arms are within his bodyline, meaning that the contact with his right arm was accidental and not a punishable handball offence given that Maguire was not the goal scorer.
"The shot was clearly off-target and then deflected in via the defender for a clear own goal. The panel supported the referee’s call to award the goal, 4:1, with one panellist considering the handball to be deliberate."
Following the fixture, the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X explained: "The referee’s call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer after an accidental handball."
It added a statement from the VAR: "It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."
The contentious goal put United 2-1 up at Old Trafford after Bruno Fernandes had cancelled out Leif Davis’ opener for Ipswich.
United went on to pick up a comprehensive victory, with Fernandes scoring twice more to complete his hat-trick, before Bryan Mbeumo also got on the scoresheet.
Chuba Akpom scored a late consolation for newly promoted Ipswich after an error by United defender Lisandro Martinez.