Christian Pulisic’s winner for AC Milan against Genoa has been heavily debated on social media because of a possible handball. However, as explained by the chief referee designator Gianluca Rocchi, the right decision was made.
Pulisic broke the deadlock for Milan in what was a very frustrating clash, receiving the ball inside the box and shifting it onto his left foot. The American winger’s action was world-class, but the goal was checked by VAR for a possible handball.
Speaking to DAZN, as cited by SempreMilan.it, the chief referee designator Gianluca Rocchi explained why VAR decided to allow the goal after the long check. In short, the images were inconclusive.
“It went as I expected. Since we started this journey with the VAR protocol, we have always treated all handballs in the same way. If there is a certain handball in the TV images, action is taken. However, if there is no certainty in the images, all the episodes are treated in the same way. I realise that it is difficult to accept the decision on Pulisic’s goal, because it also leaves us with some doubt.
“Even in the case of Udogie’s goal in Milan-Udinese, the controversy was understandable, but the reasoning was the same: when you can’t find the truth in the images you can’t go with your suspicion,” he stated.
We can all remember the Udinese goal that Rocchi is talking about and that was indeed a frustrating evening. However, there’s not much VAR can do if the images aren’t enough, then they simply need to rely on the on-field decision.
The swedish commentator said that if the ball hits the upper arm above the lowest part of the shirt then it isn’t deemed a hand ball. Rather a shoulder. I think it looks like it hits the upper arm but it’s hard to see exactly where. If it’s above the shirt arm or not.
Lets change all the shirt to long sleeve then 🤣
I’m sure there ate regulations on how long the sleeves can be 😅
Against Undinese in the scudetto winning season, they scored a handball goal against Milan in the second half of the season, they didn’t talk about it to this extent.
I don’t care of Pulisic carried the ball with his fingers or with his palm, all I care about is the 3 point period.