UEFA write to FIFA to beg for ‘no good to the game’ handball law to return to

On Nov 5, 2020

UEFA write to FIFA to beg for ‘no good to the game’ handball law to return to the old rules, as president Aleksander Ceferin admits there have been ‘many unfair decisions’ in the Champions League – topped by Chelsea’s second penalty against Rennes

Aleksander Ceferin wrote to FIFA in October over handball law concerns
The UEFA president wants the law reverted back to previous wording
A spate of accidental handballs have led to numerous controversial decisions
Chelsea were awarded a controversial spot-kick in 3-0 win over Rennes
Dalbert was sent off for second yellow card despite clear accidental use of hand

Published: 07:19 EST, 5 November 2020 | Updated: 08:53 EST, 5 November 2020

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has received a request from UEFA to adjust the handball law again to provide more flexibility for referees and prevent players being unfairly punished.

In a letter to Infantino seen by The Associated Press, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin asked for the November meetings of the game’s lawmakers to consider allowing referees to determine again whether a player handled intentionally or not.

Ceferin’s intervention came after a spate of penalties being awarded because balls have – even unwittingly – hit outstretched or raised arms.

Chelsea were awarded a controversial penalty for handball in their win over Rennes

Rennes boss Julien Stephan comforts Dalbert after he was harshly sent off for his handball

‘The attempt to strictly define the cases where handling the ball is an offense has resulted in many unfair decisions which have been met with growing frustration and discomfort by the football community,’ Ceferin wrote.

UEFA has no say in the laws of the game despite running the world’s biggest club competition – the Champions League – and having the most popular domestic leagues on the continent. The International Football Association Board is instead controlled by FIFA – which has half of the eight votes – and the four British associations from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

‘The spirit of the game must be preserved at all times,’ Ceferin said. ‘I believe that going back to the previous wording, perhaps reviewed and integrated by a provision which does not allow goals to be scored with a hand/arm, is an option to be taken into account.’

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (left) has written to his FIFA counterpart Gianni Infantino (right) to try and change the handball law back to its previous interpretation

The letter was written to Infantino on October 27 but Ceferin’s case has been strengthened on Tuesday by an incident in a Champions League match. A shot by Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham struck Rennes defender Dalbert’s leg and ricocheted up onto his outstretched arm. It led to Dalbert being shown a second yellow card and a penalty being awarded that Timo Werner converted for Chelsea’s second in a 3-0 victory.

‘lt happens quite frequently that the ball…