Former referee Dermot Gallagher claims that the penalty denied to Leicester City in their victory against Bournemouth would have been awarded

City believed they should have got a penalty in the 1-0 win over Bournemouth after Stephy Mavididi’s cross was blocked by the outstretched hand of Illia Zabarnyi. Former referee Dermot Gallagher claims that the penalty denied to Leicester City in their victory against Bournemouth would have been awarded last season. City led 1-0 midway through the first half and believed they should have had a penalty kick opportunity when Illia Zabarnyi blocked Stephy Mavididi’s cross with his hand. However, the appeals were denied, and a VAR review upheld the on-field decision.

The Premier League announced the decision via its Match Centre account on X (previously Twitter). They clarified: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the potential handball by Zabarnyi is checked and confirmed by VAR, deeming that his arm was in a natural position and the ball was played from close proximity.” That explanation did not go down well with City fans, who saw Zabarnyi’s arm extending. But Gallagher, speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch feature, believed the decision was accurate, albeit he added that the penalty would have been awarded last season.

The interpretation of the handball law changed throughout the summer. Referees boss Howard Webb acknowledged that penalties were issued last season when players’ arms were in a legitimate position, and he wanted those incidences to end. Gallagher said: “I believe it is a natural position. He also goes to take his arm back, and it is quite close. Last season, that would have been given.”

The former official also supported the decision not to award Bournemouth an equaliser. Lewis Cook’s free kick curled all the way in, putting Evanilson, who attacked the cross, in an offside position and interfering with City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. Gallagher stated, “First and foremost, he did not interfere with play; rather, he interfered with an opponent by not touching the ball. He’s regarded to have interfered since he goes to steer the ball into the far corner, so the goalie needs to wait until he heads the ball before deciding how to react.