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- Dec 31, 2007
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I suggested this the other day to derision from some of my mates.
Football is a low scoring game and a single goal can change so much. Is it really right that certain handballs can lead to a pen which has an 80% chance of being scored?
The penalty Spurs got the other day essentially secured Champions League football for them but they struggled to create otherwise. They got CL because the ball bounced off Sanchez's knee and onto a Burnley player's arm. Now whilst his arm was in an odd position it looked like he was trying to puff his chest out to be big and there was no arm to ball movement. It doesn't really seem right that something so full of chance can create such a big change in a game/season.
Think about the Dalot shot in the PSG game as well. His shot was quite clearly going over the bar but it hit the back of Kimpembe's right arm (which wasn't even raised) as he was jumping and we got a chance to win the entire knockout tie based on that. It just seems a lot.
I'm sure there are plenty of times when an arm is in an 'unnatural position' but the ball doesn't go anywhere near it. I'd still be all for a penalty if there was clear movement from the arm/hand towards the ball though.
I was thinking perhaps an indirect free-kick inside the area might be a better alternative. It's less of a harsh punishment but still gives the other team an opportunity.
Football is a low scoring game and a single goal can change so much. Is it really right that certain handballs can lead to a pen which has an 80% chance of being scored?
The penalty Spurs got the other day essentially secured Champions League football for them but they struggled to create otherwise. They got CL because the ball bounced off Sanchez's knee and onto a Burnley player's arm. Now whilst his arm was in an odd position it looked like he was trying to puff his chest out to be big and there was no arm to ball movement. It doesn't really seem right that something so full of chance can create such a big change in a game/season.
Think about the Dalot shot in the PSG game as well. His shot was quite clearly going over the bar but it hit the back of Kimpembe's right arm (which wasn't even raised) as he was jumping and we got a chance to win the entire knockout tie based on that. It just seems a lot.
I'm sure there are plenty of times when an arm is in an 'unnatural position' but the ball doesn't go anywhere near it. I'd still be all for a penalty if there was clear movement from the arm/hand towards the ball though.
I was thinking perhaps an indirect free-kick inside the area might be a better alternative. It's less of a harsh punishment but still gives the other team an opportunity.
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