Tottenham dragged into ‘stupid’ controversy as ex-FIFA official furious after Lineker comments
Keith Hackett has called on IFAB to fix up their lawbook after Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Spurs’ three-match winning run in the league came to a halt in front of their own fans in North London this week as reigning champions Man City narrowly won thanks to a solitary goal by Erling Haaland.
However, there was late VAR drama at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when referee Jarred Gillet ruled out a second Haaland goal due to handball.
VAR checked the incident over and over but couldn’t find enough evidence to overrule Gillet’s on-field decision, even though the ball may have also been handled by Spurs’ Archie Gray and Kevin Danso.
Keith Hackett agrees with Gary Lineker after Tottenham v Man City incident
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast on 28 February, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer shared their disdain for the handball laws after Haaland’s goal was chalked off.
Lineker said: “That handball law is bonkers, isn’t it. If it just grazes your arm, they’ll give that and yet, if a defender has his arms by his side and it hits them in the penalty area, that’s not a penalty.
“How can one be a penalty and the other one not? The whole handball law is a farce.”
| Player | Goals scored |
| Mohamed Salah | 25 |
| Erling Haaland | 20 |
| Alexander Isak | 19 |
| Chris Wood | 18 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 15 |
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett completely agrees with Lineker and wants IFAB to make things clearer for current officials to abide by.
“I am delighted that Gary has made these comments about the stupid handball law,” Hackett told Tottenham News.
“It’s over complicated and too descriptive, leading to confusion and inconsistency on the field of play.
“When a goal like the one scored by Haaland is ruled out, something is wrong and it needs changing.”
Tottenham ready to bounce back in Europa League
Spurs’ only hope of winning any silverware this season now rests on Ange Postecoglou winning the Europa League.
Due to being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa, Tottenham are unable to compete for any major honours in their own country, so going away in Europe is now their only hope.
Next up is a trip to the Netherlands to play AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night in the last-16.