UEFA has reportedly instructed international referees to apply stricter enforcement of the handball rule, a move that promises to impact top clubs across Europe.
This decision follows a controversial moment during Euro 2024 when Spain’s Marc Cucurella avoided punishment after the ball struck his hand during extra time in the quarter-final against Germany. Referee Anthony Taylor, with Stuart Atwell on VAR, did not award a penalty, but UEFA now believes this was an error.
According to Relevo, UEFA’s Referee Committee has since reviewed the incident and decided that a penalty should have been awarded. The tweak to the handball rule is set to have wide-reaching consequences across European football.
A document seen by Relevo outlines the updated guidelines: “Hand-to-ball contact that stops a shot on goal should be punished more strictly. In most cases, a penalty kick should be awarded unless the defender’s arm is very close or on the body.” The rule focuses on situations where a defender’s arm is in an unnatural position, making the body appear larger.
Interestingly, UEFA has clarified that although stricter penalties will be applied for handball, players like Cucurella would not receive a yellow card in such cases. “No disciplinary action is required,” UEFA reportedly informed referees.
This adjustment comes as UEFA looks to align its rules more closely with the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which states that a penalty is awarded if a player’s hand or arm is in an unnatural position and makes the body larger. However, the Premier League has been more lenient with handball decisions this season, potentially creating confusion for fans watching both European and domestic competitions.
