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West Brom 2 game ban for handball

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How on earth can they do this under the current competition and LotG framework?

My firm belief is that retrospective punishment would be hugely beneficial for football - but until it is actually implemented and any additional criteria defined… I mean wtf
 
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I believe they reserve the right to ban people for 'successful deception of a match official' for the good of the game.

Usually used to retrospectively punish simulation, but I suppose it works for this.
 

How on earth can they do this under the current competition and LotG framework?

My firm belief is that retrospective punishment would be hugely beneficial for football - but until it is actually implemented and any additional criteria defined… I mean wtf
They can do it because there's a specific section of the FA Disciplinary Code (Section E3.1) that was brought in before the start of the 2024/25 season, which authorises this exact punishment for, "Successful Deception of a Match Official."

See results of a search on FA Rule E3.1 below.

Screenshot_20260821-150237~2.jpg
 
Ah brilliant info, thanks.

If this is in the FA code, does this not apply to the Premier League?

Any thoughts or info if this has been used more or is likely to be used more?
 
Ah brilliant info, thanks.

If this is in the FA code, does this not apply to the Premier League?

Any thoughts or info if this has been used more or is likely to be used more?
I don't know if it does or doesn't apply to the premier league, but it would be much harder to justify a 'successful deception of a match official' charge when VAR in is operation and can have many looks from many angles.
 
I don't know if it does or doesn't apply to the premier league, but it would be much harder to justify a 'successful deception of a match official' charge when VAR in is operation and can have many looks from many angles.
I think that's right - any of the offences listed above that fall under E3.1, would be subject to VAR review in the Premier League.
 
As retrospective punishment for scoring an illegal goal?
The 'successful deception of a match official' offence has existed since the start of the 2017-18 season; although it originally was only used for acts of simulation, there have been other players charged and suspended under this rule. This one may be the first time it's specifically been for handling in order to score, but for the club to declare the suspension "the first of its kind" seems a little disingenuous to me.
 
Although this could open a can of worms (though it is accepted that this is not new), I think it’s a good thing & hopefully will deter others. People may say that the Referee etc should be suspended for not seeing it, but really - I couldn’t tell for sure until I saw various replays from various angles.
 
I think that's right - any of the offences listed above that fall under E3.1, would be subject to VAR review in the Premier League.

There have been cases of a red cards being overturned, strictly speaking the suspension being lifted, post match when VAR had failed to intervene.

There was a case this case in Scotland regarding a player being found guilty of deception of a match official despite not VAR intervening



In practice for handling offences it's going to be very hard for VAR to miss it.
 
I think West Brom have a good argument there, the was a significant enough deflection there that impacted the handball. I wouldn't classify this as a deception. Feels like the players has been punished for thebofficials miss of the handball.

I'm not sure The Times is right there; it has definitely been used on a number of occasions before.
Even the BBC article says "The charge over a handball is believed to be the first of its kind in English football, following a rule change prior to the 2024-25 season."
 
Where does it end?? A player appeals for a corner even though it was obviously a goal kick, the referee gives the corner, the team score from the corner, are they going to ban the player who wrongly won the corner?

Ridiculous decision to ban him if you ask me! (Which no one did!!)
 
I think West Brom have a good argument there, the was a significant enough deflection there that impacted the handball. I wouldn't classify this as a deception. Feels like the players has been punished for thebofficials miss of the handball.


Even the BBC article says "The charge over a handball is believed to be the first of its kind in English football, following a rule change prior to the 2024-25 season."
That's where I'm at with it, he misjudged the deflection and mistimed playing the ball, resulting in it hitting his arm. The only deception here is not admitting to the referee that it hit his arm, and no professional player is going to do that.

It has been used before where penalties have been awarded after the attacker simulates, but never for anyone scoring a goal with their hand or arm.
 
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