‘Cancel football if that handball is given’: Dyche reacts to penalty call as Forest draw with Arsenal | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest held Arsenal to a goalless draw in the Premier League at the City Ground on Saturday evening.

Arsenal got a penalty call in the 80th minute when full-back Ola Aina was thought to have committed a handball. The referee did not award a penalty on the pitch, and VAR confirmed his decision.

Explaining the reason behind the decision, the Premier League Match centre via X said ‘the ball was played off Aina’s shoulder first, while his arm was also in a natural position’.

Forest Manager Sean Dyche felt it was the right call, contrasting Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, who believed it was a ‘clear penalty‘ for his side.

Dyche told TNT Sports via the BBC: “I think if these start to get given we’ve all got to leave it. I think that’s ridiculous. We’ve got to be careful with those.

“I thought you were going to say our one [penalty claim in the first half]. Right on the line of the box, they say it’s outside. I think he’s already in full flight, he gets pulled, he’s going in the box, he’s going to get there.

“You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that [handball by Ola Aina]. The rules have to be careful. You know what they should be looking at, people feigning injury. That’s the new diving. I wouldn’t worry about the handballs. Cancel football if that handball is given.”

The former Everton manager has steadied Forest since his arrival, guiding them out of the relegation zone.

Since Dyche’s appointment, Forest have collected 17 points from 14 league matches. They sit 17th on the standings, five points clear of the drop.

While significant improvement still has to be made offensively and defensively for Forest to maintain their top-flight status, they have looked promising under Dyche so far.

Forest are in action in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday at Braga, before traveling to West London to face high-flying Brentford in the Premier League.