When Handball Hits Reset: Why Liverpool’s Milan Goal Was Erased

What happened in the Inter vs Liverpool clash

The Inter Milan vs Liverpool match at Giuseppe Meazza, on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, produced a disallowed goal for the English side.

In the 32nd minute, the Reds went ahead through French defender Ibrahima Konate after a corner glanced off their compatriot Hugo Ekitike before finding Konate and finishing.

The referee's assistant signaled a potential handball by Ekitike, warranting a foul against him and the goal was annulled.

After reviewing the monitor, the referee went to the VAR screen, discussed with colleagues, then returned to the pitch and ruled a Liverpool forward deserved a foul, disallowing the goal.

Rule changes and interpretation

The latest law change states that if the ball touches the scorer's hand unintentionally, no foul is given and the goal stands.

Historically, the modification applied only in the 2020-2021 season, when an accidental handball before a goal counted as a foul regardless of who touched it.

Yet the referee ruled intentionality, noting that Ekitike's arm stretched out from his body and away from the torso before the ball struck it after a Virgil van Dijk header, creating a doubt of intent and a foul.

Punchline: If VAR ran a comedy club, every joke would be offside. Punchline 2: And my diet is offside too, because every rule change is a loophole sandwich.