Home / Sports / VAR's Penalty Puzzler: Touch Too Light?
VAR's Penalty Puzzler: Touch Too Light?
10 Dec
Summary
- VAR initial soft penalties prompted rule clarification.
- Contact must have consequence for a penalty to be awarded.
- Handball interpretations vary across different European leagues.
The implementation of VAR in football has sparked debate regarding penalty decisions, particularly concerning the threshold for contact. Early in its use, the Premier League saw numerous soft penalties awarded, prompting a reassessment of the criteria for fouls.
Football officials have since clarified that penalties should only be given when contact has a discernible impact on an opponent, a principle dubbed 'contact with consequence.' This shift means that even instances like a defender lightly tapping an attacker's boot or a slight shirt pull may not result in a penalty if the player's fall appears theatrical.
The challenge of achieving consistency extends to handball decisions as well, with varying interpretations observed between the Premier League and other European leagues. Referees' chief Howard Webb highlighted that while applying the Laws of the Game is paramount, interpretation plays a crucial role, especially in subjective calls like what constitutes an 'unnatural' handball.
