Clarifying handball rules

I'm looking at the phrase, "the suspected handball by Baena wasn't the scorer." So, the handball law mainly punishes deliberate handballs unless strict liability applies when scoring. If the ball touches the attacker's hand/arm and they score right after, it's treated differently than if a teammate scores. It's interesting that the IFAB 2021/22 updated the rules to remove accidental handball offenses if a teammate scores—key detail! It looks like we can cite IFAB Law 12 regarding handling the ball.Summarizing handball rules

I need to clarify some key points about handball rules. A deliberate handball is always an offense. If a player accidentally handles the ball and scores or immediately after, that goal is disallowed. However, an accidental handball by a teammate earlier in the attacking phase is no longer considered an offense. The meaning of "immediately after" is specific—it only applies if the same player scores right after handling the ball. Passing to a teammate after handling does not count as an offense anymore.Examining handball and body position

I’m checking the rules regarding arm position and how it can affect handball calls. If a hand or arm makes the body unnaturally bigger, it’s often deemed deliberate, though the recent IFAB guidance notes that non-deliberate positions can also be penalized. The law states it's an offense if the player touches the ball with their hand/arm while making the body unnaturally bigger. Accidental touches leading to immediate goals still count as an offense, but the intent to avoid contact is also considered.Simplifying the handball situation

For this scenario, the handball by Baena wasn’t the scorer, so if the contact was accidental and not deliberate or making the body unnaturally bigger, then the goal stands. The recent IFR change clarifies this. The user wants to know why the goal was valid, so I could refer to IFAB rules, specifically "Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct, Handling the Ball (2021/22 and after)." It’s important to ensure the accuracy of the player’s name since Baena plays for Villarreal, not in the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid.Clarifying the goal validity

The goal is valid because, since the 2021 IFAB change, a goal should only be disallowed if the scorer's own handball, even if accidental, leads to the goal. In this case, Baena's possible handball did not directly affect the play, as the scorer was Álvarez. The VAR confirmed that the contact wasn't a handball offense since it wasn't deliberate or making the arm unnaturally bigger.

Key points include:

• A player is penalized for handling if they score with their hand/arm.
• Accidental touches by teammates leading to a goal do not count as an offense.