Bournemouth had a late goal disallowed in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle after a VAR review ruled that the ball had struck scorer Dango Ouattara below the sleeve line on his left arm.
After looking at the incident, former Premier League referee MARK CLATTENBURG has given Mail Sport his verdict in the latest edition of the OFFICIAL LINE…
The laws state that if any part of the ball touches below Dango Ouattara’s sleeve line, it’s handball.
When you look at the replay, it’s a really difficult one — does it come off the shoulder? A little bit below the sleeve?
I don’t think there’s anything concrete to say it hits below the sleeve and if the goal had been given, I don’t think anybody would have been complaining.
Dango Ouattara (third from left) thought he had scored for Bournemouth against Newcastle
Ouattara’s 93rd-minute goal was eventually disallowed following a VAR review for handball
It was determined by the VAR that Cherries winger Ouattara had scored using his left arm
The VAR Tim Robinson has looked at it many times and decided that it’s below the sleeve but from the evidence I’ve seen, it’s a harsh one.
It’s one where if you get it you’re happy, if you don’t you’re upset.
But I think this is one of those incidents where it should be a quick look at it and move on, as referees’ chief Howard Webb and his team have said they will this season.
They will stand by their decision and say there’s enough evidence but for me it could easily have been a goal.
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