Newcastle vs PSG: Should VAR Have Disallowed the Goal After Lascelles’ Handball?

Was Newcastle favored by the referee? The origin of the second goal against PSG was a clear handball by Jamaal Lascelles, but VAR validated it.

Miguel Almiron was the first to score for Newcastle in the 17th minute of the match, taking advantage of a Marquinhos defensive error. But it was Dan Burn’s goal that sparked controversy.

The sequence of the second goal was particularly unusual. On a free-kick taken by Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles jumped higher than everyone else, inadvertently touching the ball with his hand.

Bruno Guimarães forced a brilliant save from Donnarumma at a tight angle and then crossed to Burn. The imposing English defender used his strength to win his duel against Milan Skriniar and scored with a determined header. The Romanian referee István Kovács decided not to penalize it, as offensive handballs are no longer automatically whistled. However, in this case, perhaps it should have been…

The goal in images:

https://twitter.com/CanalplusFoot/status/1709664676043161650

However, on a close-up view, it’s clear that the English player and Hakimi both touch the ball with their hands… simultaneously. Therefore, VAR favored the attack.

Le ballon vient PILE toucher les mains d’Hakimi et de Lascelles au moment où elles se croisent. pic.twitter.com/02KKvAosAv

— Mahmoud Gassama (@brak2K) October 4, 2023