Ex-Fifa official demands law be rewritten as Eric Dier footage emerges from Tottenham

Keith Hackett has claimed “the handball law is a nonsense” after Tottenham defender Eric Dier failed to block Bruno Fernandes’ goal at Man United.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Fifa and Premier League official said the rule needs to be “reviewed” with the word “deliberate” emphasised.

Spurs lost 2-0 to Man United on Wednesday (19 October).

Fernandes scored the Red Devils’ second goal at Old Trafford.

As highlighted on BBC’s Match of the Day (19 October), Dier failed to block Fernandes’ shot, in part because he made his body-shape smaller by putting his arms behind his back.

When asked by Football Insider if the handball law likely influenced Dier’s thought process when defending Fernandes, Hackett said: “The handball law is a nonsense in its current state.

“It needs reviewing. We have got to stick with the word deliberate for me. If a player deliberately makes his body-shape wider or moves his hand towards the ball then it should be a penalty.

“It would be far easier for all participants in the game if that was the case. That would help everyone understand the law.

“I have no doubt that Dier’s body-shape is influenced the handball law. He is fearful of the ball striking his arm. You can see that quite clearly. It is a consequence of the law and that simply cannot be right for football.”

In other news, a medical expert has suggested all is not what it seems with Tottenham star Harry Kane after injury reveal.

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