lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandA decision to allow a Manchester United goal after the ball came off Harry Maguire’s hand has been backed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel
A decision to allow a Manchester United goal after the ball came off Harry Maguire’s hand has been backed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel
The decision to allow a Manchester United goal against Ipswich after an apparent handball by Harry Maguire has been backed by the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel – though one panellist felt the handball was deliberate.
The ball appeared to come off Maguire’s hand as he controlled it just outside the penalty area during the match on August 30. He then unleashed a shot, which was going wide before being deflected in by Jacob Greaves in United’s 5-2 win.
The handball was deemed to be accidental by both referee Craig Pawson and VAR Jarred Gillett, and because Maguire’s shot did not go in directly, that meant the goal was allowed to stand.
Premier League Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel – Match Round 2 outcomes.https://t.co/GWaVrFFWLK
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) September 9, 2026
The KMI Panel is an independent group comprised of three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative and one from Pro Ref. Panel findings on key incidents in every game-week are being published this season for the first time.
The Panel notes on this incident, published on Wednesday morning, said: “Maguire’s arms are within his bodyline, meaning that the contact with his right arm was accidental and not a punishable handball offence given that Maguire was not the goal scorer.
“The shot was clearly off-target and then deflected in via the defender for a clear own goal. The panel supported the referee’s call to award the goal, 4:1, with one panellist considering the handball to be deliberate.”
On the day of the match, the Premier League’s Match Centre account on X posted: “The referee’s call of goal for Manchester United was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Maguire was not the immediate goalscorer after an accidental handball.”
The same post also quoted the VAR: “It’s an own goal and the accidental handball is not punishable, so we recommend you award the goal.”