Spurs’ ridiculous handball penalty calls for a change in the rules

Former Manchester United defender, Danny Higginbotham has called for a change to the handball rules after Spurs were awarded a ridiculous penalty against them when they faced Newcastle yesterday.

The penalty was awarded against Eric Dier after his hands were adjudged to not be in its natural position when Andy Carroll headed the ball against him.

It was yet another baffling decision aided by the controversial VAR and Higginbotham thinks it is now getting harder for defenders to simply defend the ball in their box.

He remarked that formerly defenders are concerned about simply defending, however, now they have to worry about the position of their hands when they are in their box, which makes no sense.

He fears that attackers will soon start to deliberately attempt to get the ball to the hands of defenders.

The former defender suggests that ex players need to help the VAR officials at Stockley Park since they have the first-hand experience in playing the game.

“Being a defender, when a player entered the box my first thought was how to defend but now players are having to think about where their hands are and it is wrong.” He wrote on Sun Sports.

“What is an unnatural position? Forcing defenders to put their hands behind their back is unnatural.

“And by doing that they are at a disadvantage. Their balance is off and they are unable to change direction quickly if they need too.

“From a player’s perspective, there is never any intent when your hands are by your side so it is ridiculous to see all these handballs being given.

“It seems every time a defender handles the ball in the box it is a penalty whereas attackers can now get away with it.

“It will get to a point where attackers will tactically attempt to hit arms and if that happens we should all go home.

He added: “Getting former players into Stockley Park would help massively because they could talk from experience.

“These issues could easily be solved with minor changes.”