The denial of what Chelsea believed to be a clear-cut penalty on August 18 angered both the team and its supporters.
Chelsea’s opening match of the 2024–2025 season took place at Stamford Bridge against Manchester City.
In the eighteenth minute, Erling Haaland scored his first goal of the season with a long ball over Robert Sanchez.
As the game progressed, Chelsea gained momentum, and Enzo Maresca aimed to establish an early lead in his first competitive match as manager.
Mateo Kovacic’s Handball Incident
Enzo Fernandez led Chelsea’s attempts to win a penalty, but referee Anthony Taylor refused to concede.
The loudest protest came when Mateo Kovacic’s arm made contact with an attempted pass from Malo Gusto in the second half.
Despite protests from Chelsea players and the home crowd, Taylor again declined to award a penalty.
Why Kovacic’s Handball Did Not Result in a Penalty for Chelsea
Replays suggested the ball struck Kovacic’s underarm, leading to a review of the football regulations. According to IFAB Law 12, which defines handball:
“Any player who touches the ball with their hand or arm after it has made their body unnaturally larger will be guilty of an infraction.
If a player’s hand or arm position is not a result of, or justified by, their body movement for that specific situation, it is considered that the player has unnaturally enlarged their body.”
Although Kovacic’s arm was not in the right place, Gusto’s close proximity to the ball allowed the former Chelsea star to avoid penalty.
The referee can apply the proximity rule, determining if the player had enough time to move his arms into a natural position before the ball struck his arm.
“A Premier League statement indicates that referees will still consider the player’s proximity to the ball’s point of contact when deciding whether or not to award a handball.”
Kovacic added to Chelsea’s woes when he scored Manchester City’s second goal shortly after, helping City start their championship defense on a strong note.
