Harry Maguire’s controversial goal involvement against Ipswich Town has officially been backed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel! ✅🔥
The Manchester United defender appeared to control the ball with his arm before firing a shot that was heading off target. The effort then took a deflection off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves and ended up in the net, with the goal eventually recorded as a Greaves own goal. 🤯⚽
The incident sparked plenty of debate at the time, with many questioning whether Maguire’s apparent handball should have ruled the goal out. VAR reviewed the situation and decided that the contact was accidental and that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer, allowing the goal to stand.
Now, the independent KMI panel has backed that decision by a 4–1 majority. The panel concluded that Maguire’s arm was within his body line, meaning the contact was accidental and not a punishable handball offence. His shot was also clearly going wide before Greaves’ deflection sent it into the net. 👀✅
🔥 In simple terms: United’s goal was judged LEGAL!
Interestingly, the same panel was far less impressed with another major VAR decision involving Arsenal. The panel unanimously agreed that Arsenal should have received a penalty against Aston Villa after Ian Maatsen’s challenge on Bruno Guimarães, with VAR failing to intervene despite what the panel considered a clear and obvious error. 😳🟥
So while one controversial decision has been given the green light, another has been heavily criticised.
👀 VAR drama continues… and the Premier League refereeing debate is showing no signs of slowing down!
🔴⚪ Manchester United fans will certainly be happy with this particular verdict! 🔥
