New England Revolution on Receiving End of Another Controversial Handball Decision

"But when you are on the ground, just the idea that you can use your arm to get up and block a cross in the box, that makes no sense to me and I've never heard that before.”

Photo By J. Alexander Dolan

The New England Revolution suffered a 4-0 defeat where officiating once again made itself a part of the story. While New England can not blame the result on the call (or lack thereof) it certainly could have changed the course of the match.

Once again, a ball in the box hit an opponent in the arm and shouts for a handball began Those shouts proved worthless as there once again was no handball call.

Caleb Porter revealed what fourth official Ted Unkel told him when the head coach searched for an explanation regarding why New England wasn’t awarded a penalty.

“I talked to [fourth official] Ted Unkel during the game, and he said that you are allowed, when you're on the ground, to put your hand down to get up. And it so happens that when the ball hits your arm when you are putting your hand down to get up then that's okay, which makes me more confused than ever, honestly. I understand if you fall on the ground and you are trying to block a shot or something. But the guy falls on the ground, and for me, I get the law but if you are on the ground, it does not mean you can put your arm down and be able to block a goal-scoring situation. So, that explanation I don't understand, but that was his explanation.”

Porter than added that he remarked to Unkel that he will just have his players play on their butts so that they can block shots with their arms.

“That's why it just doesn't make sense. I understand the law. I understand moments where you are falling on the ground and you have to brace yourself for the fall. But when you are on the ground, just the idea that you can use your arm to get up and block a cross in the box, that makes no sense to me and I've never heard that before.”

This seems to underscore the difficulties of adding discretion and leeway to certain calls. Revolution fans got a prime example of this when Luca Langoni was penalized for not getting off the field in 10 seconds after being substituted and New England had to play down a man for two minutes.

When you add referee discretion, it adds cloudiness and confusion to calls. If the handball rule was as simple as whenever a defender in the box connects with their arm or hand in the box a penalty is given, it would create a lot less controversy.

But once again the Revolution are on the receiving end of a convoluted officiating decision. With New England on the precipice on being eliminated from making the playoffs, it only adds to fans’ frustration.