Question Number: 30111

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/15/2016

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

In the Arsenal v Leicester match there were many ball to hand moments. One that I wonder about (from the comfy armchair) was the first one by Kante just inside the box just prior to the 9 min mark.

Watching live, and I thought there was something about it, but was not surprised it was waived off as the ball was hit from quite close range.

Looking at the replay and Kante's action looks like he moved his arm to be in closer to his body (deliberately) to make it harder for the ball to pass him.
As mentioned, as Kante was only a split second away, I wonder if that is what saved him, and wonder the panels thoughts had he been say two to three times the distance away.

Giroud seemed to think every time a ball hit a player it was a penalty for DHB (typical attacker), however, from his his position I can imagine it could have looked deliberate.

This is not an armchair 'go' at the officials, more a keenness to see if you feel the short distance is what provided a benefit of doubt, and if you feel his arm movement was 'natural' of not.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
This is the video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JTFJU1obcd0
It certainly could have been given and we are always faced with the opinion as to whether Kante allowed the ball to hit his arm, could he have avoided the ball, was there sufficient time for him to get out of the way?
My own feeling is that in these situations unless the player moves his hand towards the ball they should not be given. Kante had his arm in that position before the ball was kicked and it does not look like a deliberate action of movement towards the ball to me.
I agree that every single time a ball comes off a player at a shot there are appeals for handling even when it hits the players head, chest, leg etc. Unless the player moves his arms towards the ball or reacts like a goalkeeper these should not be called. Case in point was the Sterling handling in the Man city v Spurs game. Not deliberate handling for me
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tUVy0XmgYw4

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Lucky!
cheers