Dean Henderson handled the ball outside of his penalty area in the FA Cup final and VAR have explained their decision not to show the Crystal Palace goalkeeper a red card
The reason why Dean Henderson wasn’t shown a red card for his handball in the FA Cup final has emerged. Manchester City supporters were left fuming after Crystal Palace goalkeeper Henderson palmed the ball away outside of his area, stopping Erling Haaland from getting there first.
Minutes later, the England international saved a penalty from City’s Omar Marmoush. Palace had taken a 1-0 lead earlier in the game through Eberechi Eze.
In the 23rd minute, Josko Gvardiol sent a long ball from deep in his own half up for Haaland to chase down. Henderson rushed out to make an intervention and swiped the ball away with right his hand.
Replays showed that the contact was made outside his box. Referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue before a VAR check took place.
But the off-field officials deemed that Haaland was going away from goal and therefore it wasn’t the denial of an ‘obvious’ goal scoring opportunity. A goalkeeper handling the ball outside of their area also isn’t an automatic sending off.
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“There’s no doubt that Dean Henderson touches that with his hand,” Alan Shearer said on commentary for the BBC. “It is clear to me that Erling Haaland is going away from goal.”
Wayne Rooney fumed while analysing the decision at half-time: “Just get rid of VAR. They have made a mistake and now they are trying to cover up. It is a red card and everyone can see it’s a red card. To come out with all this rubbish…”
No free-kick was awarded because VAR can only pull it back if it’s a red card or penalty. City fans were even more frustrated when Henderson denied Marmoush from 12 yards after Bernardo Silva was adjudged to have been fouled by Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell.
Supporters and neutrals on social media made their feelings clear. “Keeper handles outside of the area. It’s a red card, no matter what direction the ball is going. The ref and VAR have lost the plot,” one user posted on X.
Should Dean Henderson have been shown a red card? Have your say in the comments section.
“As clear a red card as you will see. VAR have had an absolute howler,” a second added. “Henderson has slapped the ball away from goal… it’s a clear red card.”
A third pointed out Henderson’s heroics, having also made a save from Jeremy Doku. “Amazing, handles it outside his area, off his line for the penalty and now makes a crucial save. All despite the fact he should be in the changing room with a red card,” they said.”
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