Premier League must change little-known rule after 'accidental' Harry Maguire handball controversy

Harry Maguire even admitted Manchester United got "a bit of luck" after their third goal against Ipswich Town was allowed to stand. "It wasn't a handball on purpose, for sure," he said.

It was by far the most controversial moment of Sunday's game at Old Trafford. Moments before Jacob Greaves bundled the ball into his own net, Maguire appeared to handle the ball before driving into the box and getting a shot away.

Maguire’s wayward effort was then turned in by Greaves, who looked over his shoulder to see the majority of his Ipswich teammates appealing for a handball in the build-up.

After a brief conversation between Jarred Gillett, who was on VAR duties, and referee Craig Pawson, it was deemed that the handball was accidental. The decision was a controversial one that sparked plenty of debate.

Ultimately though, Gillett and Pawson were only following a little-known rule.

For those unaware, the laws make exceptions when the handball does not directly precede a goal, the ball is scored by a teammate, or a defender’s actions result in an own goal.

In short, Premier League rules state that if an attacker accidentally handles the ball before a player forces an own goal, the own goal must stand.

The incident involving Harry Maguire remains a huge talking point. Image credit: Getty

On Sunday, Premier League Match Centre confirmed the decision. "The referee’s call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer after an accidental handball," a statement read.

The Premier League went on to publish VAR Jarred Gillett’s assessment of the incident. He told referee Craig Pawson: “It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal."

The rule change was introduced for the 2021-22 Premier League season, but it makes little sense. If Maguire’s shot had gone in, the goal would’ve been ruled out, so why should an opposition player's touch change that?

For me, there should be no advantage to your shot being off-target.

Was the handball accidental?

Of course, the decision to rule the incident as an accidental handball is another debatable topic. Maguire raised his hand towards his chest, an action that clearly impacted the direction of the ball.

On Sunday night, Match of the Day pundits Shay Given and Ellen White made their feelings clear on the matter.

"It is a clear handball," said Given. "His hands are not in a natural position. It is a deliberate handball and a deliberate motion towards the ball." White added: "It is a very unnatural position to be going to protect your face. It does feel like a handball and it does feel deliberate."

Michael Carrick even admitted that Ipswich had every reason to feel aggrieved, saying: "There are two sides to the coin, obviously. I understand the disappointment for them. It's one of those things and we took advantage of it."

Ipswich head coach Gary O'Neil gives his take on the incident

Speaking in his post-match interview, O'Neil described the rule as a "complicated" one as he rued Ipswich's luck in the game.

”To beat Manchester United at Old Trafford you need the moments to go in your favour and they didn't," he said. "Rules can go against you, or a deflection, there are lots of things that can happen in a game that are beyond your control.

”It is a complicated rule - handball if it's the goalscorer, but not if it takes a deflection and is heading off the target. I think that is tough for a referee."

”But no problem," added O'Neil. "I'm not here to moan about refs. We get no points at Old Trafford. A lot of people leave with no points, but we leave with an understanding of where to get better."