Gollini handles outside area, no red card as Napoli draw 3-3 with Roma

Referee Colombo waves play on after the Roma goalkeeper touches the ball with his arm outside the box, and DAZN's live replay analysis says he is right. We cannot explain this draw with one decision.

by Gennaro SanninoSaturday 24 October, 21:42 CET· yesterday

Gollini con la maglia del Roma — Foto: corrieredellosport.it

Roma goalkeeper Gollini came off his line to cut out a run from De Bruyne and, outside the penalty area, touched the ball with an arm. Referee Colombo did not blow his whistle and showed no card. The only question at the time was whether it should have been a sending-off.

DAZN's live replay analysis says no. The arm was close to the body and did not make it unnaturally bigger. Under Law 12 of the IFAB rules, handball is punished if the touch is deliberate or if the arm has made the body unnaturally bigger. The analysis finds neither here, and outside the area not every contact between ball and arm is an offence.

We understand those who feel short-changed: the touch happened, and you can see it. But an arm does not explain this draw. Napoli went ahead through Anguissa and McTominay, then Roma came back with Soulé and two from Balerdi, in the 74th and 89th minutes. Napoli let this one slip, while Roma finished with a goalkeeper on the pitch and no red card. Next up is Monza, away at the U-Power Stadium, on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET). There will be no incident to cling to there.