Champions League 2012-13

[Darkon]

Inter done it before and Chelsea did it too. We did something similar when we beat them

Somewhat yes. Inter were (IMO) more down to luck of the 10 men in the area for 75 minutes strategy. Perhaps forced because of the red of course.

I remember being at Anfield when we beat them, and don't remember us being as defensive set up, but I might not be enterily objective on that

[cream]

I still think Barca will beat 'em at home, quite easily.

[cream]

Barca had 660 odd passes compared to Milan's 200 odd. Death by football and all that bollocks that gets spouted when we have similar stats and lose

But Barca hardly ever lose, and they do kill teams with their passing game more often than not...

[ric.williams]

The first goal should never have stood. It was a blatant handball.

That's true! Shouldn't have been a goal that.

what is the handball rule these days? i always get confused but doesnt it have to be deliberate and a few other things are considered like distances.

[danperkins]

Pundits and panels went through that handball about 50 times last night, IMO the ref got it right. It went through two men and took and deflection off Barca player before it hit his hand (which is obviously did), and even then he was blatantly trying to get out of the way.

Arguments would be distance and his hands in the air. Was unlucky on Barca but IMO ref made right call.

[Kenneth]

I still think Barca will beat 'em at home, quite easily.

I think that's likely, but I think they'll go out.

[Darkon]

what is the handball rule these days? i always get confused but doesnt it have to be deliberate and a few other things are considered like distances.

The handball rule is quite simple, if the hand is in an unnatural position it's a freekick/penalty - How hard can that be to interpret

Doesn't matter if the ball took a deflection somewhere, got taken by the wind or decided to take an alternate quantum direction towards the goal - stille a freekick/penalty if hand is not in a natural position. Which usally is interpreted as being close to the body.

I think it was a clear free kick, but the rules are open to interpretation.

[Arn]

The handball rule is quite simple, if the hand is in an unnatural position it's a freekick/penalty - How hard can that be to interpret

Doesn't matter if the ball took a deflection somewhere, got taken by the wind or decided to take an alternate quantum direction towards the goal - stille a freekick/penalty if hand is not in a natural position. Which usally is interpreted as being close to the body.

I think it was a clear free kick, but the rules are open to interpretation.

Suarez got eaten alive by the media after his handball goal against Mansfield. Suarez had his hands in an unnatural position and the Milan player the same.

If you don't interpret the rules that way then it's legal to throw yourself like a goalkeeper and use your hands as much as you want if you are close the ball.

[Kenneth]

An unnatural position? They should include pockets in football shorts and make the players run around with their hands in them all of the time. It would be entertaining at least.

[ric.williams]

The handball rule is quite simple, if the hand is in an unnatural position it's a freekick/penalty - How hard can that be to interpret

yes but thats not the rule apparently!

from 'laws of the game' on fifa website

Handling the ball

Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with
the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into
consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an
infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.)
counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an
infringement



i still think handball should be handball.

[G]

Position of the hand means **** all unless it was intentionally put in that position to block the ball. Unlike Suarez at Mansfield. It wasn't handball because he had his hand up already when the ball rebounded back onto it.

Perfectly good goal.

[-V-]

Whether he meant it or not it his hand and led to a goal. Free kick easy

[G]

Have you even read the rule quoted word for word above my post?

It has to be intentional. Maybe not in keeping with the "spirit" of the game but certainly not an infringement.

When we can't even agree on a rule with the wording in front of us, what hope have refs got

[Neil Young]

What refs have is, I think, a lot of directives on how to interpret the laws to which we aren't privy, more's the pity.

[G]

We also hear "letter of the law" mentioned by former refs when discussing contentious decisions. For me, the wording above is unequivocal in that regard.

No intent, no handball. Of course it's up to the ref how he decides intent or not, which is certainly not always easy.