Controversial Handball Decisions in World Cup Matches Analyzed by VAR Archive
Multiple World Cup matches, including Argentina vs. Cape Verde, Spain vs. Belgium, and France vs Spain, featured disputed handball incidents. VAR analysis account Archivo VAR clarified that these were correctly not penalized under IFAB rules, citing factors like ball deflection off a player’s own head or chest, arm close to body, or technical VAR limitations. The rulings sparked debate but were deemed legally correct.
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VAR Archive: Yamal's Handball Before Winning Penalty Not Subject to VAR Review
On July 14, the VAR analysis account Archivo VAR posted on social media regarding a controversial incident in the France vs Spain match. The account stated that Yamal's handball action before winning a penalty in the box was not within the scope of VAR review. According to the explanation, Yamal carried the ball with his arm close to his body before being tripped by a defender. Since this handball directly led to a penalty rather than an immediate goal, VAR could not review it under current protocols. The post clarifies the technical limitations of VAR intervention in such situations, where the handball did not directly result in a goal but preceded a penalty decision.
虎扑 - 足球Why Rodri's Handball in the Box Was Not Called a Penalty During Spain-Belgium World Cup Quarterfinal
During the Spain-Belgium World Cup quarterfinal (2-1), a handball by Spanish midfielder Rodri in his own penalty area after a header from teammate Aymeric Laporte sparked strong reactions from the Belgian side. However, referee Michael Oliver did not call a penalty, and according to IFAB's Laws of the Game, this was correct. The rule states that it is not a handball if the ball hits the hand or arm of a player after being sent by a teammate, unless the ball goes directly into the opponent's goal or the player scores immediately afterward. A similar situation occurred in a Champions League semifinal between PSG and Bayern Munich, where a clearance by Vitinha deflected off Joao Neves' hand also went unpunished.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuVAR Archive: Rodri's Handball Should Not Have Been Called; Ball Hit Chest First
In the World Cup quarterfinal match between Spain and Belgium, a controversial handball incident involving Spanish player Rodri occurred. The Spanish-language refereeing analysis account Archivo VAR provided its opinion, stating that the incident should not have been called a handball. According to Archivo VAR, defender Laporte made the initial clearance, and the ball then struck Rodri's chest before deflecting onto his arm. The account argued that this type of handball 'falls far short of the standard for a penalty,' emphasizing that the ball did not directly hit an outstretched arm but touched the arm after a deflection off the body. Therefore, they concluded it should not be deemed a penalty. The article was published by Hupu, a Chinese sports media outlet, and includes a brief community reply referencing a similar incident in the Champions League semifinal.
虎扑 - 足球VAR Archive: N'Goye's Handball Should Not Have Been a Penalty, Arm Close to Body
In the World Cup quarterfinal match between Spain and Belgium, a handball incident in the penalty area involving Belgian center-back N'Goy sparked discussion. The Spanish referee analysis account Archivo VAR analyzed the decision, stating that it should not have been considered a handball offense. The account indicated that N'Goy had already tucked his arm close to his body when the ball struck his arm, thus not constituting a handball foul that expands the defensive area. According to IFAB's explanation of handball rules, not every contact between the ball and the hand or arm constitutes a foul; the key is whether the player's arm position 'unnaturally enlarges the body area.' The article was published by Hupu Soccer on July 11, with source from X.
虎扑 - 足球Archivo VAR: Lopez's Header Clearance Means Handball Is Not a Foul
In a World Cup Round of 32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde, a controversial handball incident occurred in the penalty area. Cape Verde defender Roberto Lopez cleared the ball with his head, and the ball then accidentally struck his arm. The referee did not award a penalty. After the match, the Spanish referee and VAR analysis account Archivo VAR provided their interpretation, stating that the handball should not be penalized because the contact resulted from a rebound after the player's own legitimate header clearance. They noted that without the header, the arm position alone could have been considered a handball offense. The analysis cited IFAB handball rules, which require consideration of deliberate action, unnatural arm position, and whether contact resulted from a rebound after the player's own legitimate handling of the ball.
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