Concacaf Gold Cup Final: A Controversial Conclusion
In a tense conclusion to the Concacaf Gold Cup final on Sunday, United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino voiced his frustrations following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Mexico, centering his criticism on a handball incident that he believed warranted a penalty. Pochettino particularly highlighted a moment in the 66th minute with the match tied at 1-1, when Mexico’s Jorge Sánchez appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area, yet neither the referee nor the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) recognized it as a foul.
Contentious Handball Incident
The contentious play unfolded when Max Arfsten, attempting to navigate through defenders, had the ball taken from him by Sánchez. As Sánchez fell, his hand inadvertently contacted the ball. Referee Mario Escobar decided that Sánchez’s action was permissible since his arm was ostensibly required for support while he was off balance. Pochettino contended that had the roles been reversed, a penalty would likely have been awarded to Mexico, expressing disappointment over the officiating decision.
“We’re talking about a situation where the player was on his knee and his hand pushed over the ball. It’s quite embarrassing to witness such a clear call being ignored,”
Pochettino remarked, acknowledging the daunting atmosphere created by the 70,000 fans present.
VAR Intervention and Ongoing Controversies
The drama did not end there; Edson Álvarez initially had a goal disallowed for offside, but thanks to VAR intervention, the call was overturned, allowing his critical 77th-minute strike to stand.
The application of VAR and the handball rule has been a source of considerable contention in recent years, with many regulations now embedded in guidance for referees and not clearly delineated in the official Laws of the Game. Referees must consider various factors when determining if a handball occurred, such as whether the arm was in a position to support the falling player. While Sánchez argued that his hand only contacted the ball out of necessity, the evidence suggests he may have extended his arm deliberately into the path of the ball, warranting further scrutiny.
Reflections on VAR and Officiating
This incident mirrors a notable handball call earlier in the season involving Martin Ødegaard of Arsenal, who was also deemed to have committed an accidental handball in a high-pressure situation. In both cases, it reflects the ongoing challenges VAR has in assessing the intent and actions of players in moments of physical play.
While the VAR stepped in during the World Cup for controversial calls, such as Portugal’s late penalty against Uruguay, the implementations often lead to divided opinions. The undercurrent of frustration over perceived inconsistencies within officiating and the use of technology continues to plague professional football, making Sunday’s final a microcosm of these broader issues.
