Jamie Carragher says football has ‘never been more certain what handball is’

Charlie Herbert

It comes after Spurs’ controversial penalty on Sunday

Jamie Carragher has claimed the rules on handball are very clear and that “we’ve never been more certain what handball is.”

Carragher was speaking on Monday Night Football alongside Gary Neville when the pair were asked about the controversial penalty that Tottenham were awarded in their crucial match against Burnley on Sunday.

The penalty ended up being the difference in the match, putting Spurs in pole position for a top four spot and leaving Burnley facing relegation, and prompted an angry response from the Burnley staff and players.

But Carragher suggested there shouldn’t be any controversy around the decision, saying it was “100 percent” a penalty, going as far to say that “we’ve never been more certain what handball is.”

He continued: “I think it’s a lot easier when you’re commentating or watching a game, when someone’s arm comes away from their body, if the ball hits that, it’s a penalty.

“I don’t know what the actual grievance is.”

🗣️ "I think we've never been more certain what handball is" @Carra23 says it's a lot easier to see handballs now, after Harry Kane's penalty was the decider for Spurs against Burnley at the weekend. pic.twitter.com/iOcPtiywbY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022

The Liverpool legend said that as soon as Ashleigh Barnes “puts his chest forward and his two arms come out, as soon as you do that, that is a penalty.”

“For me, no debate whatsoever, penalty,” he added.

The spotkick gave Spurs a 1-0 win, taking them into the final Champions League spot, two points clear of Arsenal and with a far superior goal difference.

With Conte’s side facing bottom of the table Norwich on the final day of the season, it means Arsenal will almost certainly have to win their final two games in order to finish in the top four, starting against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Monday night.