Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate’s goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League was ruled out for handball, with UEFA explaining the decision. Konate believed he had given the Reds the lead at San Siro with a header from close range after a set-piece. But as soon as the ball hit the net, Inter players surrounded referee Felix Zweier and accused Hugo Ekitike of handballing him.
Indeed, the ball hit Ekitike’s arm before it reached Konate, but it was Virgil van Dijk who headed the ball into Ekitike’s arm from close range before Konate beat Inter goalkeeper Jan Sommer with a header. After an extensive VAR review, Zweier ruled out the goal that infuriated Arne Slott. The Liverpool manager shook his head in disbelief on the touchline. UEFA released a short statement on their social media channels further clarifying the decision to disallow the goal. It read: “VAR review completed. Decision overturned. Goal disallowed. Goal disallowed – handball foul.”
“Liverpool’s number 22 player touched the ball with his left arm, which was in an unnatural position, away from his body during the build-up to the goal.”
Commenting on Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the match, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg said he would have conceded the goal, but pointed out that UEFA has a different interpretation of handball rules.
He explained: “This is interesting because when a player is jumping, their arms go up. So it’s just, ‘When the ball hits the arm, is this arm in a natural position to jump?’ What you actually see is a slight movement of the arm toward the ball.”
“I think this could end up being disallowed because the movement of the arm towards the ball would be towards a teammate and score a goal.”
Clattenburg added: “In the Premier League, this would not be awarded as a handball, but in UEFA football, especially in the Champions League, handball is punished more severely.”
It’s an unfortunate setback and one that Liverpool’s team cannot afford at this crucial moment. Preparations for the match against San Siro were overshadowed by Mohamed Salah’s passionate interview following the 3-3 away draw with Leeds United.
Liverpool’s manager responded by excluding Salah from the traveling squad, with him and the rest of the squad heading to Milan. The Reds are desperate for a positive result against the Serie A giants.
After losing 4-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven, the Reds are slumping with just nine points after five games. Last season, 16 points emerged as the criterion for securing a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the last 16.
