Unbelievable

PSV equalise in Sevilla: 2-2

That has got to be one of the best finishes I’ve ever seen edit: Saibari for PSV against Sevilla

I’m only on about the unnatural position part. I’ve watched football for over 3 decades and have seen penalties given (and not given) for such instances throughout that time, so it’s always been quite subjective and, as far as I know, the PL rule of deflection from another body part has only come in fairly recently and doesn’t (yet) apply in European competitions. The VAR assistent intervening when there was nothing “clearly and obviously” wrong with the on-field referee’s decision I cannot condone.

I’ve been here almost a decade longer than you and don’t think I’ve ever deliberately wound people up, at least not consistently. I think the decision can be defended under the current UCL rule, and that in itself is part of the problem.

Agree there is subjectivity to both "unnatural position" and "deliberate", but for me logically the threshold for the latter would be higher, i.e. it wouldn't just be an arm that perhaps could or should have been elsewhere, it's about an arm moving deliberately to make contact with the ball. Considering football is such a low scoring game and these decisions massively impact the outcome, it should really be used only in situations of foul play.

We had quite a few tactical injuries in the second half like, and Pope was booked for time wasting. In any case, the pen was given in the 3rd (?) minute of ET, so it had little relevance.

It's harsh, I agree, but most non-deliberate hand balls that result in penalties are. Change the rule to make it have to be deliberate (hand to ball) imo.

This is a good article on our VAR moment: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/11/28/newcastle-united-penalty-var-psg-referee-uefa-rules/ I agree fully with Keith Hackett's opinion:

I think the unnatural position call is quite subjective. Yes he was running, but he was also trying to block the cross. Put it this way, with the UCL rule as it is, if we need a goal against Milan in the final round and we're denied a penalty when a Milan defender handles the ball like that in extra time I'd be miffed.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

Maybe I’m old school, but like I said for me that looked like a pen in real time, and I’m not a fan of bringing intention into the discussion as that then adds subjectivity to the decision making process that is already a mess.

Sorry to answer my own question, but seemingly it was not: https://sportsbrief.com/football/53845-psg-newcastle-mbappes-penalty-shows-difference-uefas-handball-rules-epls/ Correct decision then, based on the current rules of the competion?

Interesting bit here: https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/news/0280-17dc5e89fbb9-35f6ff237f7c-1000--uefa-football-board-urges-more-clarity-on-handball-rule/ ”• In their guidelines for the next season, the Board recommends that UEFA should clarify that no handball offence should be called on a player if the ball is previously deflected from his own body and, in particular, when the ball does not go towards the goal.” Was that rule change confirmed?

I thought it was a pen in real time tbh. What is the actual rule regarding deflections of other body parts in UCL at the moment though? Is it different from the PL one?

I’ll take the draw here. Let’s batter Milan at home and progress to the final 16

Blow the fucking whistle

Fuck off ref

Not a pen that

Step up Nick Pope

Such a shame this

Pen surely

Starting to like that Barcola kid

8

Wow Mbappe