Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanation
Referee Review
Why was this decision made?
See the key points from a referee’s perspective
Show explanationHow the footage and Laws apply
Watching the scene again, it can be seen that after the Nagoya player's header the ball strikes the right arm of the Okayama defending player. Even where it is certain that the ball has struck the arm, however, that alone does not make it a handball offence. The Laws of the Game state that not every touch of a player's hand/arm with the ball is an offence. What decides the matter is the way the arm is put out. In this scene, the right arm was used like a block, spread in a way that made the body unnaturally bigger. Judging from the way the arm was put out, the conclusion that this was a handball offence can be regarded as a reasonable one.
Relevant Laws
Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct (Handling the ball)
Official references
Check the wording of the Laws
The links above lead to official IFAB and JFA resources. The application of the Laws to this incident is the author’s analysis and is not an official view of IFAB, JFA or the competition organiser.
Was it handball? Watch the clip and check the reasoning in the app.
See how the Laws separate an unnatural enlargement of the body from accidental contact, then try a related quiz.
Watch handball clips in the appRelated Scenes
[Handball / Penalty Kick] VAR intervention leads to a handball offence and a penalty kick when a shot is blocked | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 1 Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kashima Antlers
[Handball] A header from a corner kick strikes an outstretched arm and a penalty kick is awarded | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 7 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Cerezo Osaka