Gary Lineker confirms handball law change after Man City vs Man United controversy

Gary Lineker has claimed the rules regarding handballs in football are set to change after a controversial decision during the FA Cup final this afternoon.

Manchester City faced off against their fierce rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium earlier today, and made light work of opening the scoring after Ilkay Gundogan's first time effort cannoned past David De Gea after just 12 seconds of play. Scoring the quickest goal in FA Cup final history.

Erik ten Hag's men did push for an equaliser and eventually stumbled across one, albeit it through dubious circumstances. Aaron Wan-Bissaka guided his header back into the penalty box, with the ball striking Jack Grealish's hand on the way despite the City playmaker not facing the ball as the situation unfolded.

Ilkay Gündoğan celebrating his goal for Manchester City

After consulting with VAR and reviewing the video footage, referee Paul Tierney awarded United a penalty just before half-time with Bruno Fernandes making no mistake from the spot to level proceedings.

City would go on to win the fixture after another stunning effort from Gundogan in the second half, but the game itself was tainted following another controversial episode involving VAR and the uncertainty regarding the handball rule, with Grealish clearly not intending to handle it in his own penalty area.

Manchester City lift the FA Cup

Speaking on BBC whilst covering the game, Gary Lineker revealed there could be a change coming regarding the handball rule itself, which would mean decisions such as the one today would be eradicated from the game. He said: "I have it on very reliable information that the law will be simplified, the law on handball. They’re going to have to almost go back to how it was - common sense.

"I find it ridiculous when they say the hand is not in a natural position because unless it’s not attached to your body then it has to be fairly natural."

Prior to the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign, the handball laws were changed on determining what constituted as a deliberate handball.

Mike Riley, the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, said at the time: "An arm extended away from the body makes that body bigger, in an unnatural position. If the ball strikes that arm, particularly if it is blocking a shot on goal, there is a greater likelihood we will penalise that."