I too think Padfoot has called it accurately.
One little thing about Deliberate Handling that does not get mentioned enough, is that there is a difference between "deliberate" and "intentional". In real life we often use these two terms interchangeably, but in fact Intentional means that the outcome was aimed at or expected, whereas Deliberate means merely that an action is "fully considered, not impulsive" (Oxford English Dic).
As referees we all pretty much understand this (I hope): a player who runs into a challenge with arms spread wide may not actually INTEND to commit a handling offence, but he has made a DELIBERATE choice that leads to such an offence. This was made very clear to me at an RA meeting, where we were told that if the ball came at someone's face from 30 yards away, and they put their hands in front of their face as a protection, they made a DELIBERATE choice (they had time to duck or move out of the way) even if handling was not actually INTENDED...this is an offence. Whereas a fast ball coming from 4 yards away could lead to precisely the same action, but this time instinctive or impulsive...no offence. This is exactly the same distinction we need to make when a defender miskicks a ball straight to a PIOP: clearly this was not their INTENTION, but was it a DELIBERATE play on the ball that went wrong?....if so, no offside offence.
As I say, I believe all referees have an innate understanding of this. It is worth mentioning, because players (or TV commentators) often do not, and I have found that pointing out the difference to a coach after a game, can (occasionally) actually give them food for thought. If, not, at least it buys me time to get to my car while they think it out.
One little thing about Deliberate Handling that does not get mentioned enough, is that there is a difference between "deliberate" and "intentional". In real life we often use these two terms interchangeably, but in fact Intentional means that the outcome was aimed at or expected, whereas Deliberate means merely that an action is "fully considered, not impulsive" (Oxford English Dic).
As referees we all pretty much understand this (I hope): a player who runs into a challenge with arms spread wide may not actually INTEND to commit a handling offence, but he has made a DELIBERATE choice that leads to such an offence. This was made very clear to me at an RA meeting, where we were told that if the ball came at someone's face from 30 yards away, and they put their hands in front of their face as a protection, they made a DELIBERATE choice (they had time to duck or move out of the way) even if handling was not actually INTENDED...this is an offence. Whereas a fast ball coming from 4 yards away could lead to precisely the same action, but this time instinctive or impulsive...no offence. This is exactly the same distinction we need to make when a defender miskicks a ball straight to a PIOP: clearly this was not their INTENTION, but was it a DELIBERATE play on the ball that went wrong?....if so, no offside offence.
As I say, I believe all referees have an innate understanding of this. It is worth mentioning, because players (or TV commentators) often do not, and I have found that pointing out the difference to a coach after a game, can (occasionally) actually give them food for thought. If, not, at least it buys me time to get to my car while they think it out.