Why Man Utd were not awarded a penalty against Arsenal for Cedric handball

Former Premier League referee Peter Walton backed VAR’s decision not to penalise Arsenal defender Cedric Soares, despite what appeared to be a clear handball offence against Manchester United.

A pulsating contest was delicately poised after Cristiano Ronaldo had registered his 100th Premier League goal, halving the deficit when the hosts had been threatening to run riot.

United thought they would be presented with the opportunity to level the game when Soares flicked the ball away from Jadon Sancho using his hand having fallen to the floor, seemingly mesmerised by the England winger.

Despite the ball making obvious contact with the defender’s left hand, referee Craig Pawson opted not to penalise the former Southampton full-back, while VAR backed up the match official’s decision having reviewed several replays.

Explaining the decision, former Premier League arbiter Walton told BT Sport: ‘As they go down his arm is extending out there to save him from falling onto the ground.

‘The law is quite specific, if the arm is there to prevent him from falling on the floor and the ball strikes his arm it cannot be a deliberate act.

‘I, as a referee, don’t know the intention of the player. All I can do is go on the actions of the player and his actions there is defended by the law because the law says if the ball strikes his arm as he’s falling over is there to break his fall.’

That rationale failed to pacify former United star Rio Ferdinand who retorted: ‘He’s trying to prevent himself from falling.

‘He’s trying to stay up, he’s trying to keep himself going so he can keep up with play so he can be an obstacle of getting towards goal.

‘If he’s falling he’ll take one hand and then fall over. I just don’t think it’s consistent, I’m