Why Manchester United did not get a penalty for Calvin Bassey handball incident as statement issued

Michael Carrick’s side were trailing in the second half after Lisandro Martinez’s laughable own goal, but drew level through a heavily deflected hit from Matheus Cunha.

As they pushed for a winner, Lisandro Martinez hit a cross inside a crowded penalty area, which clearly hit Bassey’s hand and was acknowledged by referee Peter Bankes.

Key incident: Calvin Bassey handled Lisandro Martinez’s cross

PA

He did not, however, point to the penalty spot, and the match ultimately ended level, leaving United to head into the international break with just one win in their last five games.

Transcripts of referee conversations have now been released to shed some light on why United were denied a gilt-edge chance at a winner.

Why wasn’t a penalty awarded after Bassey handball?

Martinez fired the ball at Bassey from close range, and the Fulham defender instinctively brought his hands to his chest to protect himself.

Footage clearly showed contact between hand and ball, but Bassey got off scot-free as his hands were deemed close to his chest.

The theory is that Bassey’s hands did not affect the flight of the ball, which would simply have hit his chest had it not hit his hands first. Given Martinez had not shot, it was not denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

The conversation between the referee and the VAR has now been revealed by the Premier League match centre.

After the incident, centre referee Peter Bankes said: “On-field decision is play on.”

His assistant added: “It’s close to his body – it has hit but his arm is close to his body.”

And the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park concurred: “Arms close to his body. As seen – confirming the on-field decision to play on, exactly as described on-field.”