IFAB says a scorer’s handball, even accidental, means the goal is disallowed | OneFootball

Flamengo faced Botafogo on Sunday 30 in the 25th round of the Brasileirão. Arthur Cabral had the ball in the net early for Botafogo, but the goal was ruled out for handball by the scorer.

According to Coluna Do Fla, the moment caused some debate, yet the law for this scenario offers no room for argument.

The International Football Association Board’s Laws of the Game set the standard. Under Law 12, if the ball touches the hand or arm of the player who scores, the goal must be disallowed, even when the contact is accidental.

The restriction also covers indirect sequences. If the ball hits an attacker’s hand and he then scores himself, the referee cancels the goal in the same way. If the contact comes from a team-mate rather than the scorer, other criteria apply, including proximity and intention.

Every goal with a suspected handball is automatically checked by the video assistant referee before confirmation. Technology helps cut errors and cool disputes, though very quick or inadvertent contacts can still divide opinion.

IFAB says the strict line protects football’s essence as a game played with the feet, so any benefit gained with hand or arm, even without intent, cannot stand. The same logic applies across official competitions, from the World Cup to state championships.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”