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Cucurella Handball at Brighton Goes Unpunished as Ex-Ref Says It Was a Penalty

The non-call renews questions over how officials and VAR judge handball.

Overview

  • Marc Cucurella handled a Yankuba Minteh cross in the box during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Tuesday in the 54th minute.
  • Referee Craig Pawson did not award a penalty, and the video assistant referee did not trigger an on-field review.
  • Former referee Manuel Gräfe called it a clear penalty and said Cucurella moved his arm toward the ball to block it.
  • Cucurella denied intent in remarks reported by Gazzetta dello Sport and said confusion over the handball law is the real problem.
  • The incident echoed his Euro 2024 quarterfinal handball against Germany, which UEFA later said should have been penalized.