UEFA told to 'get rid' of 'atrocious' handball rule after Arsenal and Bayern Munich penalty controversy

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·29 aprile 2026

UEFA told to 'get rid' of 'atrocious' handball rule after Arsenal and Bayern Munich penalty controversy

Ben White and Alphonso Davies can feel hard done by

Steve McManaman has called for the handball rule in European competitions to be scrapped after two controversial decisions across both Champions League semi-finals.

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Arsenal and Bayern Munich were on the wrong side of two separate penalty decisions during their respective first leg fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Early in the second half at the Metropolitano Stadium, Marcos Llorente’s shot hit Ben White’s shin before the ball bounced up onto his arm and following a VAR review, Atletico were awarded a spot-kick.

This decision came 24 hours after Alphonso Davies was penalised for a similar action when Ousmane Dembele’s shot took a deflection before hitting his hand.

It remains to be seen how much of an impact both penalty decisions have on the overall ties, but the Gunners were pegged back and Bayern were beaten in Paris by the odd goal.

Discussing the two decisions, McManaman made it clear that he is not a fan of the handball rule in Europe and has called on UEFA to get rid of it as it is “spoiling football”.

“This handball rule is actually spoiling football, last night’s one against Alphonso Davies and tonight, it’s terrible,” the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder told TNT Sports.

“This [Davies handball] was atrocious. That’s come off his thigh onto his arm.

“The sad thing about it is at Premier League level there is a discrepancy between what goes on here in Europe and what goes on in the Premier League.

“It’s getting too far away from each other because they are now giving penalties for everything.

“They just need to get rid of if [the handball rule]. This handball stuff is spoiling the game, imagine saying that in a Champions League semi-final.”