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Stuart Jamieson

'We're losing our game' - former Newcastle United midfielder verdict on handball row

Former Newcastle United midfielder Jermaine Jenas has urged Premier League managers and players to take a stand against the implementing of stricter handball rules.

The Magpies were the latest beneficiaries of the changes to how referees have to look at handballs in the box, with FIFA insisting a unified approach must be adopted.

That means the PGMOL now has to be consistent with FIFA rulings, meaning referees in England must implement the rules in the same way as any referee around the world would.

Any ball connected with the arm or hand when it's outside the natural shape of the body is now deemed a handball - hence Eric Dier conceding the late penalty from which Callum Wilson earned Newcastle a point at Tottenham.

But Jenas, who played for United between 2002 and 2005, says we're risking 'losing' what makes the Premier League so attractive.

"We're losing our game, we're losing the product of the brilliant Premier League," he said on BBC's Match of the Day 2.

"There is a reason why we're the most-watched league, there is a reason why we're the most lucrative league, most exciting league.

"This falling in line with what La Liga do and what Sere A do, it makes no sense.

"For years we've played in Europe, the Champions League or whatever, and you had to adapt your game as a player. You knew you were going into a different environment of referees.

"This is ridiculous, it has got to change and I would go as far to say the players and managers have got to get together and take some sort of stance and get the game back."

Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher agreed something needed to be done, saying it is also having a negative impact on the fans.

"My heart sinks every time I see those decision being given," he said. "Watching the games, I'm feeling sorry for the players, feeling sorry for the managers. It's so unfair and unjust.

"Not only the players, the fans aren't enjoying it either, they're feeling so hard-done-by every decision."

United manager Steve Bruce was honest in his assessment of the situation following the late decision, when Andy Carroll's header struck Dier's arm.

"I can understand why Spurs will go berserk and Roy Hodgson reacted like he did," he said.

"It is a total nonsense, we should be jumping through hoops but I would be devastated if that was us. Maybe Roy is right, maybe we all need to get together. The decisions are ruining the spectacle."

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