Mark Bosnich has given an animated explanation as to why the penalty awarded for handball against Nikolai Topor-Stanley was “100 per cent the right decision”.
New rules involving handball have plagued Premier League and A-League teams since the start of the season, and wooden spoon front runners the Jets became its latest victim in their clash with Melbourne City.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) judged the ball had made contact with Topor-Stanley’s hand while he challenged City star Harrison Delbridge for a header in the box — match official Kate Jacewicz ultimately pointing to the penalty spot.
But speaking on Matchday Saturday after the game, former Premier League and Socceroos goalkeeper Bosnich gave an animated analysis of the incident before claiming the Jets captain’s arm was, in fact, in an “unnatural position”.
MATCH CENTRE: Melbourne City vs Newcastle Jets
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Boz explains VAR decision
1:58
“There’s been a lot of talk about unnatural and natural positions (for the arm) so lets talk about this specific incident,” Bozza said.
“As a player, this (he raises his arms slightly for leverage) is natural, there’s nothing wrong with that.
“However, this (he raises his arms even higher above his head, similar to the actions of Topor-Stanley) is not natural — to jump like this and coming down with your hands staying up there (is not natural).
“So why is his hand up there? Was he pushed in the back (by Delbridge in competing for the ball) enough to make his hand go up? I don’t believe he was.
“I believe sometimes some players when they jump and they think they’re going to miss the ball, naturally, they start to raise their hand above their shoulder. That’s not allowed anymore and that is an unnatural position.
“When the arm comes up towards the ball, for me the referee has no choice.
“There was no need for his arm to go above the shoulder after he’d missed the header unless you are forcibly pushed in the back as you’re jumping. I don’t think he was forcibly pushed in the back.”
MCY V NEW: Match highlights
3:51
The controversial rule means any contact with the ball by a player’s hand in the box, intentional or not, will be awarded as a penalty — a law that ultimately went against the Jets tonight.
Fans and pundits have subsequently been divided over the regulation change with question marks raised over how defenders should jump when competing for possession.
REVEALED: New A-League and Premier League handball rules explained
“I can understand why they’ve given it but I’ve never been taught to jump with my arms by my side, you need leverage,” Topor-Stanley said.
“Unfortunately it’s hit my arm and that’s football.
“I’d be appealing if it was a penalty at the other end for us but what can you do?
“It’s frustrating but the referees never have an easy job and they’ve never had easy calls to make. With or without VAR, there’s always controversy. You’ve just got to move on and learn from it.”
It’s a rule that has infuriated Premier League fans this season and it appears A-League supporters (and players) are now copping the brunt of this frustrating handball law.
