Bolton midfielder has say on 'ridiculous' new interpretation of handball rule

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Tom White feels the brand new interpretation of the handball rule is a ‘bit ridiculous’ and feels a change must be made.

A extra strict method has been adopted this season by officers in addition to the Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board (IFAB) augmented the rule in time for the 2020/21 marketing campaign.

The boundary between the shoulder and the arm is now outlined from the underside of the armpit and it now signifies that ought to the ball strike this space, it’s classed as handball whether or not it’s meant or not.

Different clarifications by IFAB embody a handball occuring if a participant makes their physique ‘unnaturally greater’ or has their arms above the shoulder.

The brand new interpretation of the regulation has triggered controversry initially of the 2020/21 season.

Some of the excessive profile incidents got here within the Premier League on the finish of Newcastle United’s journey to Tottenham Hotpsur when following a VAR examine, the Magpies had been awarded a final gasp penalty after Andy Carroll’s header struck the arm of Eric Dier at shut vary.

Callum Wilson duly transformed the spot kick and ensured the spoils had been shared.

Former Gateshead participant White – who’s on mortgage at Bolton from Blackburn Rovers – joked that whereas he’ll take selections in favour of the Magpies, he feels a number of the handball selections being given now with the arrival of VAR are ‘ludicrous’ and feels modifications should be made.

Talking to Wanderers’ Twitter account answering questions from followers for his ideas on the brand new interpretation, White stated: “I feel it’s a bit ridiculous.

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“When it goes within the favour of Newcastle prefer it did the opposite day I’ll in all probability take it, but it surely’s ludicrous a number of the handballs that you just’re getting now.

“With VAR, whether or not you prefer it or not, it’s the principles which are being interpreted and I feel it’s going to in all probability change. I feel it wants to alter.”

Matches are presently going down behind closed doorways and can do for the foreseeable future after proposals to permit followers again into grounds in decreased capacities with social distancing measures in place had been shelved in mild of rising coronavirus charges.

And White admits that the shortage of Wanderers followers makes an enormous distinction, however believes their absence will not be an excuse for disappointing leads to the early a part of the season and that Bolton should be increased within the League Two desk than they’re at current.

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He stated: “They’re clearly a really passionate group of supporters which as a child since I used to be 5 – 6, I’ve all the time dreamed of enjoying in a stadium like that in entrance of a crowd of nonetheless many they get in.

“It’s arduous with no followers, however that shouldn’t be an excuse, we must be increased up within the league than the place we’re on the minute, so it’s going to assist us however there’s nothing we will do about it on the minute.”