The problem is, there's no consistency in the rules. It should be a simple case of ball-hits-hand-equals-penalty.

I don't agree with that. The penalty last night was a pretty clear case in my opinion where the player obviously didn't intend to hit the ball with his arm/hand, he was jumping in the air to get the ball on his head and the opposing player basically headed it down on to his arm.

I also think all incidents of a ball hitting a hand should be given as hand ball.

I also think all incidents of a ball hitting a hand should be given as hand ball. I mean they don't not award a goal kick instead of a corner if a the striker kicks the ball against the defender and it goes out behind the goal line do they?

That's what I'm (badly) getting at. Either they apply the rule universally that ball>hand>penalty or they don't. The lack of consistency is what's causing the aggro.

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with the hand or arm.

The following must be considered:

• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an offence

The goalkeeper has the same restrictions on handling the ball as any other player outside the penalty area. Inside their penalty area, the goalkeeper cannot be guilty of a handling offence incurring a direct free kick or any related sanction but can be guilty of handling offences that incur an indirect free kick.

Not sure that's a fair comparison. A goal kick isn't going to change the course of a game, whereas penalties almost always do.

While a lack of consistency is the end result, it's not the cause. The rules are pretty clear, it's just shit refs. And I say this as someone that knows fuck all about football


Even just the first bullet point there should have meant there was no way that penalty should be given.

What if there's a clear deflection off a hand - by accident - that causes a shot to miss the goal?

Part of the problem with the hand ball decisions is due to VAR though, I think. Slowed down, it's easier to think that something is intentional, as you lose the appreciation for reaction time etc...

Rules are pretty clear IMO - it states it has to be a deliberate act to count.

All players to be wearing straight jackets to avoid temptation

Though the refs will take into account ‘unnatural body position’ - if you jump with your hands out and prevent a goal that way, it’ll be a penalty (and possibly also a red card).

Well yep, that would fall under the "taking into account the movement of the hand towards the ball" angle.

Well, no. You can be motionless, but if you are standing with your arms out wide, you’re going to get called.

The way I read it is that if someone kicks the ball at your hands when you're stood in such a position (and you don't move your hand into the path of the ball) then, according to the rules, that would not be a hand ball (might count as something else, like obstruction or something though?)

Presumably this has never happened though, as it's football and not bar billiards

Like if you jump up in the air and flap your arms around, and someone then hits a shot into them, it’s handball even if you were moving away from the ball or couldn’t even see the ball, because your hands/arms had no right to be there.

Anyone see that Korean get a ball in the nuts? Ouch.

Scenes.

Just saw a tweet listing the years of World Cups in which England and Germany both participated, but England played more matches:

2018

Was it South Korea playing Germany? I have no interest in football but did end up with SK in a sweepstake, so..

Technically not yet true, is it?

Correct. We could feasibly get disqualified yet.

It was, however both sk and Germany are both out now.

Right now it's outright wrong.

What a day, 2 great games, Argentina and Portugal out, some amazing goals.

France look very dangerous.