English refereeing chiefs are moving to quell the handball furore - by softening their approach to the controversial law.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited are to tell referees that in future Everton ’s match-winning penalty at Crystal Palace should not be awarded.
New advice is to be given to officials on implementing a relatively recent law change that has provoked widespread condemnation and ridicule.
It sparked fury at two Premier League venues last weekend when Everton and Newcastle both benefited spectacularly from the way the law was rewritten in 2018.
However, PGMOL chiefs are likely to be frustrated in their opposition to the sort of incident from which Spurs were denied by a late equaliser.
The “handball” given against Tottenham ’s Eric Dier looked even harsher than the one against Joel Ward at Selhurst Park.
Both players were hit inadvertently at point blank range and Dier even had his back to the ball in his aerial challenge.
However, the fact his arm was raised above the shoulder - while natural in the act of jumping - will give PGMOL a problem under the complex wording of the law.
Virtually all referees in this country believe that to penalise either incident is contrary to the spirit of the game.
That they appear to have been given little option but to apply the vexed law has provoked much sympathy for their position.
Having previously been dragged into line by FIFA on applying it, PGMOL are in a delicate position.
Players and managers will want to know if there is going to be any change. However, to announce it would spark a political conflict.
Ironically, it was the taking of a more common sense approach last season in the English leagues that provoked the law makers to harden their stand.
Now PGMOL are seeking out some middle ground - and more certainty for confused referees.
But the bottom line belief is that unless and until the law is rewritten and simplified, handball will remain the most divisive law in football.
