Howard Webb Supports Bournemouth's Disallowed Goal Against Newcastle

Understanding the Controversy: Bournemouth's Disallowed Goal Against Newcastle

The world of football has seen its fair share of controversial calls, and one such incident occurred during the match between Bournemouth and Newcastle last month. Dango Ouattara's dramatic late goal was disallowed by VAR, igniting debate among fans and officials alike. Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), recently shared his views on this contentious decision, stating that the disallowed goal should have been counted due to a "lack of conclusive evidence" to rule it out.

The Incident: A Deep Dive

In stoppage time, Ouattara's header from a well-taken corner seemed destined to secure three points for Bournemouth. However, the celebration was cut short as VAR Tim Robinson informed referee David Coote that the goal had to be disallowed because the ball had struck Ouattara’s upper arm.

Understanding Handball According to IFAB Rules

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) defines handball as occurring when the ball strikes a player below the armpit. In the case of Ouattara, Webb confirmed that the ball struck the upper arm area, but there was uncertainty about whether it was below or above the critical point.

Webb’s Perspective: The Importance of 'Referee's Call'

Webb emphasized that the on-field decision by referee Coote should have stood, referencing the PGMOL’s newly introduced policy known as 'Referee's Call'. This approach suggests that unless there is clear evidence to prove the referee's decision is incorrect, the original call should remain. Webb's comments were made during the Match Officials Mic'd Up segment, where he stated, "We know all goals are checked by the VAR, but in this specific situation, the evidence wasn’t conclusive enough to warrant overturning the referee’s call."

The Implications of VAR

VAR, which stands for Video Assistant Referee, was introduced to minimize human error in match officiating. However, its application has often been criticized for leading to confusion and inconsistencies. Webb noted that the term 'clear and obvious' has been a talking point within the league, which led to the introduction of the 'Referee's Call' concept. He said, "The game is played in shades of grey, and subjective decisions are prevalent. Therefore, the referee's call will stand unless readily available evidence shows a clear error." This aligns with practices in other sports, such as cricket's 'Umpire's Call'.

Clarifying the Handball Rule

Webb took the opportunity to clarify the specific area of the arm that is considered a handball. He explained that the bottom of the armpit serves as the crucial line, not the sleeve length, stating, "If you put your thumb up into your own armpit, anything below that is deemed a handball." This definition is significant as it addresses common misconceptions regarding the handball rule.

Conclusion: Moving Forward with VAR

The incident involving Bournemouth's disallowed goal is just one example in the ongoing evolution of VAR decision-making. As football continues to adapt to technological oversight, the clarity and consistency of its implementation will be paramount. As Webb pointed out, the difficulty lies in the subjective nature of many decisions; thus, it's essential for all stakeholders involved – teams, referees, and fans – to have a mutual understanding of the rules and the implications of any given call.

FAQs

• What is 'Referee's Call'? It's a policy introduced by PGMOL emphasizing that the referee's original decision stands unless clear evidence shows otherwise.
• What constitutes a handball? According to IFAB, a handball is when the ball strikes a player below the armpit.
• How does VAR work? VAR reviews critical match incidents using video technology, such as goals, penalties, and red cards, with the aim of reducing officiating errors.

As we continue to watch the evolution of football officiating and VAR technology, public discourse will remain vital in shaping guidelines and practices to ensure fairness and transparency in the beautiful game.