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A disputed goal-kick restart led to a late penalty that allowed Paris FC to draw 2-2 with Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League.
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A late handball penalty denied Arsenal victory against Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League. With Arsenal leading 2-1, defender Leah Williamson stopped a short ball from goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez with her arm. Maeline Mendy scored the resulting penalty to make it 2-2. [1]
The decision turned on whether Rodriguez had already taken the goal-kick. BBC Sport says the ball was stationary when she kicked it towards Williamson, putting it in play. Williamson stopped it to position the ball for a goal-kick she had expected to take. [1]
BBC Sport cites IFAB guidance that a goal-kick is taken when a defender kicks a stationary ball within the goal area. It also cites rules under which deliberate hand or arm contact is an offence and a subsequent handball inside the kicker’s penalty area brings a penalty. [1]
Arsenal assistant coach Aaron D’Antino said he remembered the ball still rolling as Rodriguez moved it to Williamson to take the kick. Former Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie told Paramount+ she believed referee Iuliana Demetrescu had made the wrong decision. [1]
1 listed sources · explore evidence, limitations and provenance.
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