Referee explains Sesko handball decision in Liverpool’s defeat to Man United

Referee explains Sesko handball decision in Liverpool’s defeat to Man United Webb Defends Controversial Sesko Decision Howard Webb has offered a detailed explanation for one of the most debated Premier League moments of recent weeks after Benjamin Sesko’s contentious goal against Liverpool was allowed to stand despite apparent handball claims. The incident came during Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month when Sesko doubled Manchester United’s lead in the 14th minute. Replays appeared to show the striker making slight contact with the ball using his fingertips before it crossed the line, immediately sparking fierce debate among supporters, pundits and former referees.

According to the original source report, the Premier League Match Centre account stated there was “no conclusive evidence” to overturn the on-field decision. That explanation has now been expanded upon by Webb, who addressed the controversy during the latest edition of Match Officials Mic’d Up on Sky Sports. The PGMOL chief acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while insisting VAR officials followed protocol correctly.

“I think it probably does hit the hand, but of course the VARs need that conclusivity. They need to be absolutely certain that it does, and it doesn’t matter what we think, does it? It matters what they think, and we do ask them to be sure that something needs acting upon.

“Clearly, Sesko doesn’t deliberately handle this. He doesn’t make himself bigger. It’s all very natural, but of course, the Laws of the Game require any goal that comes off the hand immediately, or where the player scores immediately after hitting the arm, then it has to be disallowed, and that means the VAR has no option but to start looking for that.