New footage backs Neco Williams handball call but leaves VAR dispute unresolved
A new camera angle shows the ball touching both of Williams’ arms before his goal against Tottenham was disallowed, but the footage was not available to VAR during the match.
New footage supports the decision to disallow Neco Williams’ 67th-minute goal for Nottingham Forest against Tottenham Hotspur, showing the ball touch his left arm and then right forearm before entering the net.
The match ended 0-0 after VAR Peter Bankes ruled the goal out for accidental handball. Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner disputed the decision after the match, saying there was no proof the ball had touched an arm.
The footage, reported by BBC Sport, was not available to Bankes during the game. The VAR had access only to broadcast cameras and relied partly on the movement of Williams’ shirt when assessing the incident.
The new angle confirms arm contact and shows the ball did not touch Williams’ head. However, it does not settle whether the evidence available at the time met the required threshold for intervention, or whether the contact justified overturning the goal.
Pro Ref remains satisfied that the decision was correct, according to BBC Sport. The incident has nevertheless renewed scrutiny of attacking-handball rules and the difficulty of treating supposedly factual VAR decisions as free from subjective judgement.
Refereeing chief Howard Webb has previously said he would consider changing the law so goals are not ruled out for accidental contact unless an attacker deliberately handles the ball or makes themselves unjustifiably bigger.
