Howard Webb has conceded that while Benjamin Sesko likely scored with his hand against Liverpool, the VAR transcript showed they did not have conclusive evidence to overturn the decision.
Liverpool’s recent trip to Old Trafford saw Sesko double Man United‘s lead in the 14th minute, but replays showed the ball brushing the striker’s fingertips before it went in the net.
At the time, the Premier League‘s match centre on X explained there was “no conclusive evidence” to overturn the original decision, leaving the Reds needing to muster a two-goal comeback.
The laws of the game deem any goal directly scored by the hand, even if accidental, will not count, but Stuart Attwell (VAR) and Constantine Hatzidakis (AVAR) did not see any concrete evidence.
“I think it probably does hit the hand,” said Webb in the latest episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up. “But of course, the VAR need that conclusivity. They need to be absolutely certain that it does.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Referee Darren England listens as VAR awards Manchester United a second goal despite a handball during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It doesn’t matter what we think, it’s what they think. We do ask them to be sure that something needs acting on.
“Certainly Sesko doesn’t deliberately handle this, he doesn’t make himself big. It’s all very natural.
“But of course, the laws of the game require any goal that comes off the hand from the player who scores immediately, the goal needs to be disallowed. That means the VAR has no option but to start looking for that.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Manchester United's Benjamin Šeško scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Sometimes it looks like they’re being too forensic and you hear the VAR looking from various angles. They want to get it right, if it does conclusively come off the arm.
“But they don’t get to that level of certainty.
“They probably think it does [come off the hand] as well but they need to be absolutely categorical to get involved. They couldn’t find it. That’s why the on-field decision stood.”
Every word of VAR check for Sesko handball vs. Liverpool
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Manchester United's Benjamin Šeško scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While the ball did appear to change its movement after touching Sesko’s hand, the full VAR transcript shows neither Attwell nor Hatzidakis was convinced.
If you ask any Liverpool supporter, they’d likely find evidence to the contrary!
Every word of the VAR check is as follows, it includes on-field referee Darren England, the VAR, AVAR and assistant referee:
VAR: Possible handball by the goalscorer. I’m going to go to the goal, first and foremost.
AR1 (assistant referee): Off his thigh, for me. Off his thigh.
REF: On-field decision is goal.
VAR: Daz, I’m going to check the goal. The possible DOGSO’s not been checked, so just standby, OK?
REF: OK, that’s fine.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (R) speaks to referee Darren England as they await the VAR check for handball for the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Man Utd won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
VAR: OK, so go to the goal. Go to the goal.
So, two concerns on the first viewing. Push at the back post…Clearly onside, so push by Fernandes (on Robertson).
First view from that is normal contact, can you just confirm that from something side-on?
OK, that’s normal contact, for me. That’s fine.
Possible offside on Sesko…Clearly on. Clearly on, that’s fine.
I just need to…there might be a touch with the hand. Have you got anything in goal, behind the goal?
OK, yeah, SSM (super slo-mo replay). No good (on one particular camera angle).
AVAR: Tight angle. There’s a reverse…
VAR: OK…Just checking possible handball, Daz (referee).
OK, just pause it there and take me round the angles when it appears to be in possible contact with the finger. Yeah, take me round the angles and show me what you’ve got.
Do it split screen with that last angle you had, please (told that isn’t possible).
OK, so one more time.
So, I’m happy with the right hand because there’s no clear evidence. Just pause it on the moment where we think there’s contact.
No, don’t loop it.
AVAR: I’ve got no evidence. I’ve seen nothing conclusive.
VAR: Yeah, go there. And loop it through on a longer loop, I want to see if there’s any spin on the ball. Both angles.
I’ve got no conclusive evidence that the ball has definitely hit the hand.
AVAR: I agree.
VAR: Nothing to take the goal away. I’m going to confirm the on-field decision of goal.
AVAR: I agree.
VAR: Daz, I’m going to confirm the on-field decision of goal. The check is complete. There is no conclusive evidence that the ball actually touches the hand of Sesko before it goes into the net.
REF (to Van Dijk and Fernandes): OK, so the goal is going to be given. There’s no conclusive evidence of the angle showing the goalscorer touching the ball with his hand. Therefore, the final decision is goal. Ok?