I agree with the removal of the word deliberate. That's one thing that had to go.Maybe the law should be that handball should not be penalised unless it is clearly deliberate.
Oh, wait...
I agree with the removal of the word deliberate. That's one thing that had to go.Maybe the law should be that handball should not be penalised unless it is clearly deliberate.
Oh, wait...
I thought we wanted consistency? You seem to want your cake, while eating it...And making things easy for refs should be what football is all about, after all.
Could carry the ball up the pitch!What about handball is any time from the elbow down. Not the shoulder, but the elbow
Little finger of the left hand?..or what about only if it hits the hand![]()
Actually, ignore it all together. As long as you don't catch it, it is fair gameLittle finger of the left hand?
Actually, ignore it all together. As long as you don't catch it, it is fair game
One thing this discussion shows is that it’s not simple and going to be difficult for referees. The law makers have screwed them over and it’s going to be a nightmare.
Think part of the problem is trying to take two scenarios of handball and put them into one neat rule.
“Deliberate” makes perfect sense and should stop penalties for when a ball is blasted at a player from a couple of yards away.
The reason for this natural position rabbit hole we’re heading down is defenders taking a calculated risk when blocking shots, using their arms to make their block bigger. If it hits the arm “accidental ref!” (sorry for stating obvious stuff, but wanted to show the reason for my point, which I will finally get too)
For me the rule should be a little less binary and be in two stages to almost guide the refs in their thought process.
Deliberate Yes/No
Yes - Pen
No - did the handball prevent a goalscoring opportunity and did the defender leave arms in natural position?
My example is poorly worded, but I think a few more rules should be written in this logic flow kind of way. Might help with the consistency
Who decides what an unnatural position is? It is different if you are stood square on, stood side on, or jumping.
Who decides what an unnatural position is? It is different if you are stood square on, stood side on, or jumping.

That is already how it works at Old Trafford....Should have VAR screens everywhere and the whole crowd gets a vote, like ask the audience on who wants to be a millionaire.