Martin Keown Criticizes Handball Rule Changes

Arsenal legend Martin Keown has voiced his outrage over a controversial penalty awarded against Arsenal during their Champions League match against Inter Milan, where Mikel Merino was penalized for handball despite his arm being close to his body. Keown, speaking on TNT Sports, argued that the handball rule is 'ruining our game' and called for a review of the regulations, emphasizing that the term 'deliberate' should be reinstated. Fellow commentator Ally McCoist echoed this sentiment, insisting that urgent changes are needed to the handball laws. The decision allowed Hakan Calhanoglu to score from the penalty spot, leaving Arsenal at a disadvantage just before halftime. Notably, the interpretation of handball rules differs significantly between UEFA competitions and the Premier League, where mitigating factors are considered before ruling a handball. This inconsistency has frustrated players, pundits, and fans alike, as highlighted by Keown and Rio Ferdinand's observations.