{
  "id": 4470417,
  "title": "Why Man Utd goal was allowed to stand - despite Maguire 'handball'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/why-man-utd-goal-was-allowed-to-stand-despite-maguire-handball",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T17:38:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c62ewy19w2ro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The handball law often confuses fans, and it did so once again during Manchester United's 5-2 victory against Ipswich Town. Harry Maguire headed the ball, which struck his arm before he advanced towards the goal and scored the goal. Typically, a handball by the scorer would result in the goal being disallowed. However, there are three exceptions where accidental handball by the scorer doesn't count. Video Assistant Referee Jarred Gillett confirmed to referee Craig Pawson, \"It's an own goal, and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.\" If the VAR had deemed Maguire's handball deliberate, the goal could have been disallowed. Manchester United went on to win the game 5-2, thanks to a Bruno Fernandes hat-trick. A similar situation occurred in January 2023, when Ben Mee's accidental handball resulted in an own goal for Brentford against Liverpool.",
  "summary": "Manchester United scored a goal against Ipswich Town that initially appeared to be a handball by Harry Maguire. The ball came off Maguire's arm before he moved forward and shot, with the ball deflecting into the net off Jacob Greaves.\n\nThe goal was allowed to stand as it was officially an own goal, with Maguire's effort having been going wide. According to the handball law, accidental handball by the scorer does not count in certain exemptions, including when the action of a defender results in an own goal.\n\nThe video assistant referee, Jarred Gillett, informed the referee, Craig Pawson, that the accidental handball was not punishable, and the goal was awarded. Manchester United went on to win the game 5-2, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick. A similar situation occurred in January 2023 with a goal for Brentford against Liverpool, according to Yahoo Sports.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Why Man Utd goal was allowed to stand - despite Maguire 'handball'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/why-man-utd-goal-was-allowed-to-stand-despite-maguire-handball-4470439",
        "published": "2026-08-30T17:38:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Why Man Utd goal was allowed to stand - despite Maguire 'handball'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/why-man-utd-goal-was-allowed-to-stand-despite-maguire-handball-4470539",
        "published": "2026-08-30T17:52:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}