Manchester United defender Harry Maguire saw a controversial second goal awarded in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford despite handling the ball.
The decision left supporters confused as replay footage appeared to show the ball striking Maguire's hand before entering the net during the Premier League match.
The goal was allowed to stand because Maguire's original shot was dragged off target and deflected into the net off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves, resulting in an own goal.
VAR decision and referee ruling
Under Premier League officiating rules, an accidental handball by an attacking player is not penalised if the goal is scored by another player or credited as an own goal. Had Maguire hit the target and scored directly, the strike would have been disallowed for handball.
Video Assistant Referee Jarred Gillett explained the rule to match referee Craig Pawson during an on-pitch review. Gillett stated: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."
Maguire addressed the controversial incident after the match when speaking to Sky Sports. "It wasn't handball on purpose, that's for sure!" Maguire said. "I don't know if it brushed my fingers. I actually dragged the shot a little bit wide so it's going to go down as an own goal!"
Manager and pundit reactions
Ipswich Town manager Gary O'Neil offered a measured response to the decision while acknowledging the difficulty of interpreting the regulation. Speaking to the BBC, O'Neil questioned how match officials would evaluate similar incidents where shots are closer to the target.
"It's a really tough rule to ref," O'Neil said. "Maguire's shot was missing by quite a way. But what if it's heading somewhere near the post and it's too close to tell?"
O'Neil added that while the decision was frustrating for his team, Ipswich had to accept the ruling. "It doesn't feel like a goal. It feels like it should be chalked off but we accept that it isn't and that's the rule. We have to be ready for Liverpool on Friday."
Former striker and television pundit Darren Bent expressed sympathy for Ipswich while explaining the logic of the regulation. "It's one of those rules where I understand because it's there in black and white, but it still doesn't feel right," Bent told Sky Sports.
Bent noted that Maguire's involvement was critical to the passage of play. "Harry Maguire directly impacts what happens to the ball and it ends up in the back of the net at a crucial time for Ipswich. If it hits your hand and he is the one that directly impacts it, it's not a nice one to take."
Handball rules in English football
Handball regulations in professional football are established by the International Football Association Board, the governing body responsible for determining the laws of the game worldwide. The organisation updated its handball guidelines to distinguish between goalscoring attackers and players involved in earlier buildup phases.
The Video Assistant Referee system was introduced to English top-flight football for the 2019-20 season to assist match officials with key decisions involving goals, penalty kicks, direct red cards and cases of mistaken identity. Old Trafford, the home ground of Manchester United in Greater Manchester, serves as one of the largest stadiums in British football.
Following the 5-2 defeat at Old Trafford, Ipswich Town turn their focus to their upcoming Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Friday.
