Neil Critchley questions handball rule following contentious penalty given during Blackpool's FA Cup upset against West Brom

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley admits he’s not entirely sure what is handball and what isn’t nowadays.
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'We more than matched a Premier League team': Neil Critchley's verdict on Blackp...

It comes after Pool defender Ollie Turton was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball during yesterday’s FA Cup upset against Premier League side West Brom.

Baggies winger Kamil Grosicki blasted the ball at Turton’s hand from barely a couple of yards away, with the right-back unable to move his arm away in time.

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But with his arm deemed to be in an ‘unnatural’ position, slightly lifted from the side of his body, referee John Brook felt he had no option but to point to the penalty spot.

In the end it didn’t alter the course of the game, with the Seasiders edging through 3-2 on penalties after drawing 2-2 after extra-time, but Critchley was visibly angry with the decision at the time.

“I was just frustrated,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“I understand why it was given, but I’ll be honest I’m not particularly certain what the handball rule is nowadays.

Ollie Turton was penalised for a handball after Kamil Grosicki, right, blasted the ball at his armOllie Turton was penalised for a handball after Kamil Grosicki, right, blasted the ball at his arm
Ollie Turton was penalised for a handball after Kamil Grosicki, right, blasted the ball at his arm

“He’s a yard away when he smashes the ball at him. You could say his arm is away from his body, but when they’re that close I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do.

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“I don’t blame the referee, I blame the rule, it’s not the right rule.

“It’s not deliberate, it’s not stopped a goal, it’s just hit him. But I understand.”

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