Why Man Utd goal was allowed to stand - despite Maguire 'handball'

The handball law can often perplex football fans - and it did so again when Harry Maguire scored for Manchester United against Ipswich Town. The ball struck Maguire's arm before he advanced toward the goal and netted the opening goal. One might expect the goal to be disallowed due to the handball, but there is a crucial distinction - Maguire did not actually score the goal.

Instead, the ball deflected off Jacob Greaves and into the back of the net. This is classified as an own goal. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Jarred Gillett, informed referee Craig Pawson of the ruling: "It's an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal." Had the VAR deemed Maguire's action deliberate, the goal could have been disallowed.

Manchester United did indeed go on to win the match 5-2, thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick. A similar situation occurred in January 2023 with a goal for Brentford against Liverpool when the ball struck Ben Mee's arm and ended up in the net, but it was an own goal due to a deflection from Ibrahima Konate.