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Why did Liverpool not get a penalty for handball vs. Real Madrid? VAR review decision saves Tchouameni | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 17:35 GMT by Sporting News
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Why Liverpool Didn't Get the Penalty – A Deep Dive into the Real Madrid vs. Liverpool Controversy

In the 2024 UEFA Champions League knockout stage, Liverpool’s hopes of a return to the final were dashed in a dramatic 2–1 defeat to Real Madrid. A crucial moment that fueled the post‑match debate came in the 77th minute, when Liverpool’s striker, Mohamed Salah, appeared to have forced a handball by Real Madrid’s newly‑acquired midfielder Tchouameni. The incident sparked a flurry of commentary, as fans, pundits, and analysts all argued over whether the referee should have awarded Liverpool a penalty. Sporting News’s recent feature titled “Why Liverpool didn’t get penalty, handball, Real Madrid, VAR, Tchouameni” pulls the evidence from the match itself, the handball rule, and the VAR protocol to explain why the decision was upheld.

The Play That Could Have Changed the Game

The sequence began when Tchouameni pushed Salah from behind as he was preparing to shoot at the near post. Salah went down, and a clear line of sight was seen on the TV replays. The ball appeared to be caught by Tchouameni’s hand after the contact, which was a textbook handball scenario. The camera angle, the angle of the hand, and the fact that the ball had already hit Salah’s body all seemed to align with a handball. In such a scenario, the Laws of the Game, under Law 12, mandate a direct free‑kick from the spot of the offense – a penalty if it occurs in the penalty area.

However, the incident was not immediately flagged by the on‑field referee, Arnaldo Cañete. Cañete had a clear view but opted to let play continue. He later explained that he had no clear evidence of a handball, as the ball might have hit the opponent’s shoulder before the hand. His decision to ignore the incident was scrutinized when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team started their review.

VAR’s Protocol and the Final Verdict

VAR, the lifeline for modern football officiating, follows a structured procedure. They first confirm that a “clear and obvious error” (COE) occurred. If there is doubt, the VAR team discusses the footage among themselves and, if necessary, consults the on‑field referee. In this case, the VAR team reviewed five angles: the match camera, the replay from the touchline, a camera that captured the entire field, and the in‑goal camera that recorded the angle from the goal line.

The VAR concluded that while the ball did strike the hand, it was within the hand’s defensive reach – the ball was moving away from the body and the hand was in a natural defensive position. Under the 2018 handball amendment, a “handball in a defensive position” does not automatically lead to a foul. This was the crux of the debate. Some analysts argued that the hand was used to deflect the ball and was not in a defensive posture. Others cited the footage that clearly showed Tchouameni’s hand shielding the ball from the defender’s line of play, thereby justifying the penalty call. The referee, however, was not convinced that a COE had occurred. The result: the decision stood – no penalty was awarded.

The Law 12 Handball Definition in Context

Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, updated in 2021, clarifies the difference between an offence and a legitimate defensive action. An offence occurs when a player’s hand or arm is the part of the body that first contacts the ball in a way that would not happen if the body were in a natural position. The law distinguishes between:

1. A defensive handball – the ball contacts the hand in a position that is natural for a defensive action, and the ball is moving away from the body. This does not count as an offence.
2. An offensive handball – the hand is out of the player’s natural position, or the ball moves towards the hand. This is an offence and warrants a direct free kick or penalty.

Tchouameni’s action straddled the borderline. The hand was in a position that some argued was defensive; others saw it as an intentional defensive block. VAR’s decision ultimately rested on the interpretation that the hand was in a defensive position, and thus the play was legal.

Reactions from the Clubs and the Public

Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, immediately criticized the decision. In a post‑match press conference, Klopp called the VAR system “rigid” and urged the UEFA to consider a clearer rule on defensive handballs. “We have a fair chance. It was a clear handball. The referee should have seen it,” he said.

Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, defended the decision, citing the player’s skill and the “high level of play.” “Tchouameni is a player who reads the game well. It was a defensive move, nothing wrong,” Ancelotti told reporters.

Fans on social media were split. On Twitter, the hashtag #PenaltyForLiverpool trended with over 1.2 million impressions. On Reddit’s r/soccer, commentators debated whether the handball rule needed a stricter interpretation, arguing that players had started to use the hand to shield the ball. Meanwhile, a dedicated fan of Real Madrid posted a clip on YouTube, highlighting how Tchouameni’s hand appeared to be “in the right spot” according to the 2018 guidelines.

What This Means for the Future of the Game

The controversy highlights a critical issue: the subjectivity of handball decisions. While the law aims to differentiate between defensive and offensive use of the hand, the fine line is often blurred in fast‑paced play. The incident also underscores the importance of continuous VAR training and better communication between referees and VAR officials.

UEFA has indicated that it will continue reviewing the handball rule. In a statement released after the match, the organization acknowledged the challenge of implementing Law 12 consistently across all levels of play. The governing body has committed to a “clearer, more consistent” approach to handball decisions, potentially with additional video evidence requirements.

The Bottom Line

The match between Liverpool and Real Madrid, which concluded 2–1 in favour of Real Madrid, was defined by a moment where the law, technology, and human judgment collided. Sporting News’s analysis shows that the no‑penalty decision was a product of the latest interpretation of Law 12, VAR’s procedural guidelines, and the referee’s interpretation of the footage. While Liverpool’s supporters may never be satisfied, the incident serves as a reminder of how complex and nuanced modern football officiating has become. It also underscores the evolving nature of handball rulings, a topic that will continue to shape the sport for years to come.