Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been offering his thoughts on the potential handball in the build-up to Colin Kazim-Richards’ equaliser in Derby’s draw with local rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
A rare mistake by goalkeeper David Marshall allowed Joe Garner to put Forest ahead after the Manchester United loanee’s weak effort somehow made it past the Scotsman’s outstretched arms.
Wayne Rooney’s side left it late to level things up at Pride Park, with Kazim-Richards controversial strike not coming until the 84th minute. The 34-year-old was attempting to latch onto a pass by a teammate when a Forest defender cleared the ball onto the Derby forward’s thigh before it bounced up and hit his arm. After it fell nicely to the Rams main man, he struck a sweet volley into the corner of Brice Samba’s net.
Speaking exclusively to This Is Futbol, Halsey was asked whether or not the goal should have been allowed to stand given the contact with Kazim-Richards arm.
In response, Halsey had this to say on the matter. (0.20)
He said: “It was accidental, but we know law 12, handling the ball has just changed this season, so you know, if you accidentally handle the ball, and then obviously it leads directly to a goal, then the goal should be disallowed for handball, and it’s difficult in that situation for match officials if they’ve not got the correct viewing angle. I think he’s too far away from the assistant referee to see that and get involved so it’s down to the referee and if you haven’t got that ultimate viewing angle and you don’t see that you’re not going to give it.
“Listen, if the championship had VAR then that would have certainly been ruled out for handball.”
In our view, Halsey is correct with the law chance. The ball has struck his arm just prior to the goal being scored which is deemed as handball, regardless of whether it’s accidental or not.
The law states – ‘‘accidental’ handball by an attacking player (or team-mate) is only penalised if it occurs ‘immediately’ before a goal or clear goal-scoring opportunity’.