The Premier League has issued a statement explaining why Manchester United's third goal against Ipswich was allowed to stand despite Harry Maguire appearing to handle the ball in the build-up.
After a frustrating defeat away at Hull in their first match of the campaign, United secured a confidence-boosting 5-2 defeat of Ipswich to chalk up three important points. They trailed early after Leif Davis' volley, but Bruno Fernandes had them level at the break, and Maguire forced Jacob Greaves into scoring an own-goal shortly thereafter, with the Ipswich defender deflecting his shot beyond the reach of Kjell Scherpen.
VAR check and Premier League statement
But the goal was not without controversy. Maguire appeared to handle the ball as he won it in a challenge with Chuba Akpom, before stepping into the box and shooting. The goal, though, was allowed to stand after a VAR check, and the Premier League has now explained the reasoning behind the decision.
The Premier League Match Centre has confirmed in a statement the goal stood because Greaves turned it in. VAR deemed the handball accidental, and Premier League rules subsequently state that an accidental handball can only force a goal to be disallowed if scored by that same player.
Rules on accidental handball
Thus, the fact it deflected off Greaves absolves Maguire. Premier League rules state that if an attacker accidentally handles the ball before that player forces an own goal, the own goal must stand.
The VAR official was quoted: “It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.” It was bad news for Ipswich, with that goal putting them 2-1 behind. Things only got worse from there, though, as Fernandes added a further two goals before Bryan Mbeumo scored a lobbed fifth.
