Dean Henderson avoided a red card against Man City in the FA Cup final after the Crystal Palace goalkeeper handled outside the box with Erling Haaland storming towards goal.
The VAR Jarred Gillett checked the incident after referee Stuart Attwell failed to penalise the goalkeeper, but he also deemed it not to be a goalscoring opportunity with the ball, after Henderson touched it, moving away from goal.
Ally McCoist was left baffled on commentary for ITV, claiming that at the point of contact from Henderson, it was in fact a goalscoring opportunity.
“That is surely a goalscoring opportunity. Get him on the phone. I know what he’s saying,” remarked McCoist.
Alan Shearer agreed that it was not a goalscoring opportunity, stating on the BBC’s coverage: “There’s no doubt that Dean Henderson touches that with his hand. It is clear to me that Erling Haaland is going away from goal.
Henderson remained on the pitch and would go on to save Omar Marmoush’s penalty before smothering a rebound from Haaland, keeping Palace in front after Eberechi Eze struck the opener.
The incident-packed first half also sparked debate around the controversial penalty, with replays showing Tyrick Mitchell managed to gain a touch of the ball before making contact with Bernardo Silva.
Here is why Henderson was not sent off and what referee Attwell and the VAR must consider:
Sending-off offences
A player, substitute or substituted player who commits any of the following offences is sent off:
• Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area)
The following must be considered:
• Distance between the offence and the goal
• General direction of the play
• Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• Location and number of defenders
