Former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd believes the handball rule will be changed by next season after Manchester United's second goal against Ipswich Town was allowed to stand despite the ball striking Harry Maguire's hand in the build-up.
Maguire, 33, fired United into a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute at Old Trafford. He controlled the ball on the edge of the box before drilling a low shot that was deflected home by Jacob Greaves for an own-goal. The ball appeared to hit Maguire's hand when he won it back, leaving Ipswich players incensed that the goal should be disallowed. However, because he was not the actual goalscorer, the goal was allowed to stand.
Rule 'rubbish' but decision 'right'
If Maguire had directly benefited from the handball and been the scorer, a free-kick would have been awarded to Ipswich. As he was not, United were given a second goal and took the lead for the first time in the game.
Bothroyd told Sky Sports: "They got the decision right because it's in the rule. But the rule is rubbish. At the end of the day, it's a handball and a goal came because of it. That is unfair."
"Maguire's handled the ball, it's not intentional as his hands are up there. But as soon as it falls to him and he has the shot and it goes in via a deflection, it should be brought back. Because that goal doesn't happen if it doesn't hit his hands. It's a poor rule because Man Utd have benefited from it the same way as if Maguire had scored."
"The decision is 100 per cent right. But the rule is wrong. It will 100 per cent be changed by next season."
Referee and VAR backed
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher delivered his verdict on the decision and agreed that referee Craig Pawson and VAR made the right call to not disallow the goal.
"It's definitely the right decision. It strikes his hand, but striking his hand isn't an offence in itself," Gallagher said. "It has to be deliberate or lead to a goal scored by himself."
"It strikes Maguire's hand, he shoots, it's going wide and hits Greaves, so it becomes an own goal. So through no fault of the referee or VAR, they have to give the goal. It's always been the rule. It was changed a few years ago. It's clearly an own goal and it's covered in law."
"It's accidental handball. It's unfortunate for Ipswich but it's ironic that we're debating the decision. The only thing to debate is whether you like the rule or not."
