The VAR decision of 'accidental handball' led to Shearer describing the rule as "messed up in every single way". "Now, they'll say that things are better in the Premier League than they are abroad, but that doesn't wash with me. It would be very simple for the law to say deliberate handball or not." Former Premier League official Darren Cann said despite Barnes' handball being accidental, it was "correctly disallowed". "Barnes' handball was accidental, but was correctly disallowed under the current law.

Source: BBC February 28, 2026 21:43 UTC