Why Michael Oliver did not give a penalty for Rodri handball in Spain v Belgium World Cup | OneFootball

Belgium were incensed when Rodri appeared to handle in Spain’s area during their World Cup quarter-final, which Spain won 2-1. Referee Michael Oliver did not award a penalty, a decision that reflected the laws of the game.

According to L'Équipe, IFAB’s laws state it is not a handball offence when the ball hits a player’s hand or arm after being played by a team-mate. The only exceptions are if the ball goes directly into the opponents’ goal or the player scores immediately after, in which case a direct free-kick is given to the other side.

That clause frames incidents like this, so Oliver allowed play to continue without a penalty.

A similar call occurred in the Champions League semi-final second leg on six May, PSG against Bayern Munich, which ended 1-1. After a clearance by Vitinha, the ball struck Joao Neves’s hand and no offence was given.

The Spain v Belgium flashpoint sits within the same interpretation of the handball law.

Source: L'Équipe