Controversial Penalty Decision Haunts Crystal Palace in Chelsea Loss
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A contentious penalty awarded to Chelsea has sparked debate after a Premier League match against Crystal Palace, raising questions about the consistency of VAR protocols and the interpretation of handball rules. The incident, occurring during a game where Palace appeared unlucky, ultimately contributed to a defeat that leaves the team facing scrutiny.
Palace conceded a penalty after defender Jaydee Canvot blocked a goal-bound shot from Joao Pedro with his arm while goalkeeper Dean Henderson was down. Initially, the on-field referee, Darren England, dismissed Chelsea’s appeals, seemingly judging the arm position as natural. However, following a 51-second delay and review prompted by the video assistant referee, the decision was overturned.
VAR Review and the Handball Ruling
England spent a minute and 55 seconds scrutinizing replays before announcing the penalty, citing an “accidental handball.” Crucially, he also issued only a yellow card to Canvot. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez then converted the spot-kick, effectively sealing the outcome before a late consolation goal from Chris Richards.
The decision has drawn criticism from those who believe the penalty was wrongly awarded. A former Premier League referee, speaking to BBC Sport, stated, “In my opinion, Crystal Palace were unfortunate to concede a penalty.” The expert further explained, “The ball appeared to strike Jaydee Canvot’s hip prior to his arm, which was in a natural position. No penalty in my opinion as Canvot neither deliberately handled the ball or had his arm in an unnatural position.”
Consistency Concerns Following Similar Incident
The controversy is amplified by a similar situation that unfolded just 24 hours earlier at Etihad Stadium during Manchester City’s victory over Wolves. In that match, VAR official Darren England advised referee Farai Hallam to review a handball incident involving Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera. Hallam, after review, maintained his original decision – ruling the arm position natural – a call that was widely praised as “courageous” for its adherence to on-field judgment.
This disparity in rulings has fueled accusations of inconsistent application of the rules. Guidance suggests Chelsea were awarded the penalty because Canvot was deemed to have denied a goalscoring opportunity. However, the International Football Association Board (IFAB)’s own guidelines state that a penalty should not be awarded if the player “does not deliberately handle the ball and does not make their body unnaturally bigger.”
Palace Manager Voices Disagreement
Crystal Palace manager Glasner expressed his disagreement with the decision following the match. “I watched back the penalty and it was first on Jaydee’s hip,” he said. “We were briefed before the season that if the ball touches the body first and then goes onto the hand that it is not handball.”
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in interpreting the complex handball rule and the pressure faced by officials in making split-second decisions with significant consequences. The lack of consistent application of VAR continues to be a source of frustration for players, managers, and fans alike, raising fundamental questions about fairness and the integrity of the game.
