How new ruling could bring change

Open to referee’s interpretation

1. Gabriel Jesus (Tottenham 2-0 Man City, Nov 21, 2020), pre-aymeric Laporte goal

Jesus controlled with his arm, body and thigh simultaneously before playing it to Laporte to score. A referee would now need to decide if the contact with the arm was deliberate, and rule out the goal, or accidental and allow it to stand.

Accidental handball by a team-mate = goal stands

2. Sadio Mane (Midtjylland 1-1 Liverpool, Dec 9, 2020), pre-takumi Minamino goal

A cross deflected off Mane’s head and onto his arm, before falling into the path of Minamino to score. Under the rule change, this would be deemed accidental and the goal would stand.

Deliberate handball by a team-mate = goal disallowed

3. Roberto Firmino (Tottenham 3-1 Liverpool, Jan 28, 2021), pre-mohamed Salah goal Firmino was judged to have deliberately handled by the Var, who advised the referee to disallow Salah’s subsequent goal. Because it was deliberate, the goal would still be chalked off.

Accidental handball by teammate = goal stands

4. Mario Lemina (Fulham 0-1 Tottenham, March 4, 2021), pre-josh Maja goal

Davinson Sanchez’s clearance struck Lemina’s arm when it was up against his body, from which Maja scored. Var brought play back for the handball, but this would no longer be the case.

Accidental/deliberate handball by goalscorer = goal disallowed

5. Gabriel Jesus (Brighton 0-2 Man City, Aug 12, 2017)

The striker controlled with his chest, but the ball deflected off his arm and into the Brighton goal. It was disallowed, and this would remain the case whether accidental or deliberate as it was involved directly in the act of scoring.