Video: Controversial rule. Why was United’s goal awarded in Nottingham despite a handball?

The match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in the 37th round of the English Premier League on Sunday afternoon witnessed a controversial refereeing case that resulted in the Red Devils scoring a goal.

United went 2-1 up in the 55th minute at Old Trafford, but the goal sparked controversy as the referee initially disallowed the goal due to suspected handball on Cameroonian Mbumo, before his Brazilian counterpart Cunha slotted the ball into the net.

After reviewing the VAR, the referee came back and ruled that the goal was correctly scored, given that the handball did not warrant a disqualification.

Referee Michael Salisbury announced on the pitch that Cunha’s goal stood as Brian Mbemo’s handball in the play before the goal was deemed “accidental” and not intentional.

The ruling based its decision on a change announced in March 2021 and implemented in July of the same year regarding hand touching in the build-up to a goal, which the IFAB issued a statement at the time, saying:

Many people protested this change, especially since the interpretation of an accidental touch of the hand would differ from one referee to another, which would multiply the controversy, and every time he makes a decision based on this rule, it happens.

United took the lead with Luke Shaw’s first goal in the 5th minute, and Forest equalized through Anthony Morato in the 53rd minute. Kunya scored United’s second goal in the 55th minute and Mbumo added a third in the 76th minute before Gibbs White scored the visitors’ second goal two minutes later to end the match 3-2.