Harry Maguire‘goal’ against Ipswich town Old Trafford left fans across the country scratching their heads on Sunday.
How can a goal where the player appears to handle the ball before shooting stand up?
Manchester United had to count their lucky stars after an obscure rule allowed this: their second goal in a 5-2 mauling of Ipswich.
Despite the controversy, the goal was valid because Maguire did not actually score it.
The defender’s original shot was slightly off target, but it went in after hitting Ipswich’s Jacob Greaves, making it an own goal.
Many believed Harry Maguire was lucky when Manchester United’s second goal against Ipswich was allowed to stand after handling the ball
Despite appearing to handle the ball, as his shot went off target and went in as an own goal, it stood
If Maguire had hit the target, the goal would have counted as his and been disallowed. But since it originally missed, it stands.
As video assistant referee Jarred Gillett told referee Craig Pawson during the match: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not a penalty, so we recommend that you award the goal.”
The goal might have been disallowed if the referees believed Maguire’s handball was intentional.
‘It wasn’t handball on purpose, that’s for sure!’ Maguire told Sky Sports. ‘I don’t know if it touched my fingers. I actually dragged the shot wide a bit, so it goes down as an own goal!’
Opposition manager Gary O’Neil was gracious in defeat.
He told the BBC: ‘It’s a very difficult rule to ref.
‘Maguire’s shot was quite lacking. But what if it goes somewhere near the post and it’s too close to see?
‘It doesn’t feel like a goal. It feels like it should be abolished, but we accept that it is not and that is the rule. We have to be ready for Liverpool on Friday.’
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil said it ‘doesn’t feel like a goal’ but admitted it was a difficult rule for referees to apply
Pundit Darren Bent added to Sky Sports: ‘It’s one of those lines that I understand because it’s there in black and white, but it still doesn’t feel right.
‘Harry Maguire has a direct influence on what happens with the ball and it ends up in the back of the net at a crucial moment for Ipswich.
“If it hits your hand and he’s the one directly affecting it, it’s not a nice thing to take.”
