Referee Dermot Gallagher sheds light on Arsenal's controversial disallowed goal against Aston Villa, which cost them points in the Premier League title race. Despite leading 2-0, the Gunners were denied a late winning goal due to a handball off of Kai Havertz, deemed accidental but still ruled as handball according to the law. Gallagher explains the decision on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch.
Arsenal's Disallowed Goal: Referee Dermot Gallagher Explains
Background:
In a crucial Premier League title race match against Aston Villa on August 13, 2023, Arsenal were denied a potential winning goal due to a handball off of Kai Havertz. Despite leading 2-0 with time running out, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, leaving Arsenal frustrated and potentially costing them valuable points.
Referee's Explanation:
Referee Dermot Gallagher outlined the rationale behind the decision on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch:
Consequences:
The disallowed goal proved costly for Arsenal as the match ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw. The result allowed Manchester City to extend their lead at the top of the table and put Arsenal's title hopes in jeopardy.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why was the handball deemed accidental? The referee determined that Havertz did not intentionally handle the ball and was in an unnatural position when it struck his hand.
2. Is the handball rule fair? The handball rule has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that it is too harsh and others believing it is necessary to prevent deliberate handballs.
3. Has this happened before? Yes, there have been several high-profile incidents of goals being disallowed due to accidental handballs in recent years.
4. What could Arsenal have done differently? Arsenal could have avoided the handball by ensuring the ball was played away from Havertz or by clearing it before it reached him.
5. What does this mean for the Premier League title race? The disallowed goal could have a significant impact on the title race, as Arsenal could now be chasing Manchester City rather than being level on points.
Manchester City, one of the top Premier League teams, have officially signed Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov from French side Lens. Khusanov, only 20 years old, is already making a name for himself as one of the most promising young defenders in Ligue 1 and has 18 appearances for his country. He will join the team in the second half of the 2024/25 season and hopes to help City win trophies under the guidance of their renowned coach, Pep Guardiola.
England's star batsman, Jonny Bairstow, curbed his natural attacking game to score a masterful 60 off 40 deliveries and guide the Joburg Super Kings to a total of 146 for six in their SA20 match against the Paarl Royals. Bairstow's slow start was quickly forgotten as he demolished Kwena Maphaka's bowling in the penultimate over, bringing up his maiden SA20 half-century. However, it was a magnificent diving catch from David Miller that ended Bairstow's innings and kept the Royals in the game. With a blustery pitch and slow conditions at Boland Park, the Royals will need to strategize carefully if they hope to chase down the 147 runs needed for victory.
Rishabh Pant, the highest-paid star in IPL history, has been appointed as the new captain of Lucknow Super Giants, filling in the shoes of KL Rahul. During an interaction on Star Sports, Pant expressed his gratitude towards the LSG family for showing faith in him and vowed to give his 200% to repay their trust. The wicket-keeper batter also revealed a tense moment during the IPL 2025 mega auction when he was relieved to join LSG instead of Punjab Kings. With his experience working with Ricky Ponting, Pant says his ideology of captaining a side remains the same as he takes on this new role.
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his enthusiasm on social media after his first visit to Ferrari's headquarters in Maranello. The British driver shared a photo on Instagram of himself standing outside the factory in a sharp all-black suit, fulfilling his dream of racing for Ferrari. Hamilton will be completing various pre-season tasks at Maranello this week, following his switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Neeraj Chopra, India's celebrated javelin thrower, has tied the knot with his longtime partner and fellow athlete, Himani Mor. The news of their private and beautiful wedding quickly took social media by storm, with fans scrambling to learn more about the bride, who hails from a sports-loving family in Haryana. The couple, who caught everyone's eye with their matching outfits, is now on their honeymoon after a dreamy ceremony.
Manchester City have their eyes on Aston Villa's former player Douglas Luiz, as they explore options for a new No. 6 midfielder. Luiz only joined Juventus from Aston Villa last summer, but has only made 16 appearances for the Italian club this season. City's interest in the Brazilian could intensify if Juventus agree to a straight six-month loan deal with no clauses for a permanent transfer, as City are considering making additions to their midfield. Luiz is eager to return to the Premier League, and City could make a move for him if the deal is right.
After much speculation, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka confirms that Rishabh Pant will lead Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming IPL season. In an exclusive interview with Star Sports' Jatin Sapru, Goenka expresses his belief that Pant will be the best captain IPL has ever seen, alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Pant, who has experience and a seasoned campaigner, is ready for the challenge and has received messages of congratulations from fans and fellow cricketers alike. The decision has sparked excitement among fans, who are eagerly anticipating seeing Pant lead the team and hope to witness some brilliant performances.
In a surprising turn of events, Shreyas Iyer was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming IPL season, despite leading the team to victory in 2024. The player shares his disappointment with the lack of communication from the team and reveals how he ended up with the Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a record-breaking price. Iyer's experience as a captain and his impressive batting skills make him a valuable asset for PBKS, as he takes on his third team leadership role in the league.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been left out of India's upcoming ODI squad for England series and the 2025 Champions Trophy, despite strong performances in 2024. This decision has garnered criticism, with Gautam Gambhir's old remarks about backing Samson resurfacing. In a 2020 interview, Gambhir had expressed disappointment at India not giving Samson enough opportunities, stating that it was India's loss to not have him in the team.