UEFA handball rule explained after VAR disallows Liverpool equalizer vs Galatasaray
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool thought it had leveled the scores against Galatasaray in the Champions League but VAR ruled it out after Ibrahima Konate was penalized for handballLiverpool was denied an equalizer against GalatasarayLiverpool was denied an equalizer by VAR after Ibrahima Konate was adjudged to have handled the ball during the Champions League game against Galatasaray.The Reds fell behind in the first leg of the last 16 tie when Mario Lemina headed in after more set piece woes for Arne Slot. And the home side could have gone 2-0 up through Victor Osimhen after a Konate mistake, but an offside was given earlier in the build-up against Baris Yilmaz.It was another below-par showing from Liverpool but it looked to have leveled the scores after an almighty scramble from a corner.READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold transfer blame dished out amid Real Madrid strugglesREAD MORE: Graeme Souness refuses to answer Arne Slot ultimatum about Liverpool futureThe ball appeared to strike the elbow of Konate before taking several deflections on its way into the net.
Virgil van Dijk did appear to get a touch, albeit inadvertently.The decision went to VAR and Liverpool was ultimately left frustrated as the goal was ruled out. In the Premier League, handballs are only given in such situations if the culprit, in this case Konate, gets the final touch.TNT Sports commentator Sam Matterface suggested that the reason the goal was disallowed was because Konate's handball decisively led to the goal.Mohamed Salah struggled as Liverpool played Galatasaray.(Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)UEFA follows IFAB's rulings around handball and they state that a handball offence is committed when a player:deliberately touches the ball with their hand/armtouches the ball with their hand/arm when it is in a position that makes their body unnaturally bigger and that position is not the result of their body moving fairly as part of playscores a goal against the other team with their hand/arm or scores immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm (even if the touch was accidental)Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.The decision frustrated Slot and Van Dijk but it was another disappointing display from Liverpool, who has work to do to reach the quarter finals of the Champions League this season.The second leg is scheduled for Anfield next week, with Liverpool facing relegation-threatened Tottenham in the Premier League before then.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCIbrahima Konaté