During the FA Cup final , Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson created a lot of controversy by handling the ball outside of his penalty area while he was bringing down Manchester City's Erling Haaland , and not being given a red card. Now, an official statement gives reason to help clear things up.
VAR's decision on Dean Henderson's handball explainedDean Henderson rushed out to block a pass meant for Erling Haaland during the first half of the FA Cup final. TV replays showed he used his hand outside the penalty box, which many thought deserved a red card. Referee Stuart Attwell didn't call a foul, and VAR official Jarred Gillett agreed after checking. The VAR team said Haaland wasn't heading toward the goal, so there wasn't a clear chance of scoring.
This decision upset many fans and experts who felt Henderson stopped a big moment. However, he stayed on the field and later saved a penalty kick from Omar Marmoush. The call showed how tricky it can be to decide what a goal-scoring chance is. It also made people discuss how referees and VAR make decisions in important games like this.
Also Read: English Premier League: Dean Henderson howler hands Nottingham Forest victory over Crystal Palace
Fans and experts react to the rulingThe decision to let Dean Henderson stay on the pitch sparked a lot of reactions from fans and football experts. Many were shocked, saying the handball should have led to a red card, no matter where Haaland was going. Social media was full of fans arguing about the call, with some agreeing with VAR's view on the rules. Others felt the decision was wrong and could have changed the game.
The debate grew when Henderson saved a penalty, helping Crystal Palace keep their lead. People started talking about how VAR is used in football and whether the rules need to be clearer. Some fans want better explanations from referees to understand these big calls. This moment in the FA Cup final showed how much people care about fairness in the sport. It also questioned how technology can help or confuse fans watching their favorite teams play.
VAR's decision on Dean Henderson's handball explainedDean Henderson rushed out to block a pass meant for Erling Haaland during the first half of the FA Cup final. TV replays showed he used his hand outside the penalty box, which many thought deserved a red card. Referee Stuart Attwell didn't call a foul, and VAR official Jarred Gillett agreed after checking. The VAR team said Haaland wasn't heading toward the goal, so there wasn't a clear chance of scoring.
An official statement's been released. đł pic.twitter.com/PwGwLNevnf
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 17, 2025
This decision upset many fans and experts who felt Henderson stopped a big moment. However, he stayed on the field and later saved a penalty kick from Omar Marmoush. The call showed how tricky it can be to decide what a goal-scoring chance is. It also made people discuss how referees and VAR make decisions in important games like this.
Also Read: English Premier League: Dean Henderson howler hands Nottingham Forest victory over Crystal Palace
Fans and experts react to the rulingThe decision to let Dean Henderson stay on the pitch sparked a lot of reactions from fans and football experts. Many were shocked, saying the handball should have led to a red card, no matter where Haaland was going. Social media was full of fans arguing about the call, with some agreeing with VAR's view on the rules. Others felt the decision was wrong and could have changed the game.
The debate grew when Henderson saved a penalty, helping Crystal Palace keep their lead. People started talking about how VAR is used in football and whether the rules need to be clearer. Some fans want better explanations from referees to understand these big calls. This moment in the FA Cup final showed how much people care about fairness in the sport. It also questioned how technology can help or confuse fans watching their favorite teams play.
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