Ach wrote:His arm was in an unnatural position
Penalty in everyone's book
When a ball is kicked on to an arm which is in an unnatural position, it's punished.
Ref did have some shockers. Cedric handball. Tavares on Elanga. Bruno challenge.
Fortunately most went our way
He headed the ball first though - it was not stopping an opponents shot.
An arm extended away from the body makes that body bigger, in an unnatural position," explains Mike Riley, Managing Director of Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the referees' body.
"If the ball strikes that arm, particularly if it is blocking a shot on goal, there is a greater likelihood we will penalise that."
The proximity of the player whose hand or arm makes contact with the ball to where the ball was struck from will still be an important consideration for officials when making a decision to award handball or not.
First of all, not cut and dry at all.
Second, it did not stop / block any attempt at goal - he actually blocked his own clearance with his head.
Third - proximity was obviously very close.
At best the decision is debatable - certainly not cut and dried.