The Premier League has provided clarity on one of the most debated moments from Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle United: the decision not to award a penalty for Gabriel Magalhaes’ first-half handball. Despite vehement protests from the Newcastle players and staff, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene, and the on-field decision of no penalty stood.
According to a statement from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the decision was based on the current interpretation of the handball law. They determined that Gabriel’s arm was in a “natural position” for his movement as he jumped to challenge for the ball. Furthermore, it was adjudged that the ball was struck from such close proximity by a Newcastle player that Gabriel had no reasonable time to react and move his arm out of the way.
This explanation, while grounded in the official laws of the game, is unlikely to satisfy Newcastle fans who felt the incident met the criteria for a spot-kick. The controversy highlights the ongoing subjective nature of handball decisions in the modern VAR era and ensures the debate will continue long after the final whistle.
