Mark Clattenburg admits handball rules must change after explaining why penalty was given vs Everton
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has argued the penalty awarded against Everton in their 3-1 defeat by Manchester City was further evidence the handball law needs changing.
Amadou Onana was penalised 19 minutes into the second half after a Nathan Ake shot struck the hand of the Belgian midfielder from point-blank range. After a momentary pause of hesitation, referee John Brooks opted to give a spot-kick to Pep Guardiola's side.
Julian Alvarez stepped up and slotted past Jordan Pickford to put City 2-1 up in the game and there was no way back for the Blues after this effort was converted by the Argentine attacker.
Everton player ratings after Jordan Pickford howler and one poor vs Man City
What Everton and City supporters did at FT shows truth after more VAR chaos
Offering his take on the incident after the full-time whistle, and why the incident highlights a major problem with the current guidance on handballs, Clattenburg told Amazon Prime: "It certainly changed the game. It was a big decision. The difference for me in this situation is, because it is a shot on goal, when you block a shot on goal with an outstretched arm, even though he is trying to block the ball, because it is a shot on goal, this is where referees will always look to penalise a penalty. Do I agree with it? I don't.
"We're discussing handball for many, many years and we are still no further forward of actually improving it," continued Clattenburg. "One week it is given, one week it's not. Is it deliberate or is it not? Is the arm outstretched or is it not? Every week we are debating it and the referees are just trying to apply the Laws of the Game. If the referee didn't give that penalty, he would be criticised. He has given it and is
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
