Football’s lawmakers have announced changes to the definition of handball in a bid to avoid a repeat of controversial decisions involving the offence.
At a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Saturday, the organisation approved the biggest change to the handball law for decades.
Previously, a handball needed to be a “deliberate act”, but from next season accidental handballs will also be illegal in certain circumstances.
The IFAB said it will become an offence in the event of “a goal scored directly from the hand/arm (even if accidental) and a player scoring or creating a goal-scoring opportunity after having gained possession/control of the ball from their hand/arm (even if accidental) will no longer be allowed.” Read more