Tony Cascarino reacts to Tomas Soucek handball controversy in West Ham United v Chelsea

Sun 12 February 2023 17:09, UK

Tony Cascarino says he “laughed” after watching the handball incident of West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek during their Premier League game against Chelsea on Saturday (11 February).

With the game tied at 1-1, Chelsea appealed for a handball, when Conor Gallagher’s effort appeared to have hit the hands of Soucek who fell on the ground at that time and inside the box as well.

Cascarino said on talkSPORT (Sunday, 12 February) that it was a “deliberate” handball from the Czech Republic international and it was a clear penalty that was not given.

❌ “You can’t be denying a penalty for that type of incident. There seems to be more confusion than ever.”

🤷‍♂️ “I never knew that law. I’ve been in the game 40 years and i never knew that law.”

Tony Cascarino has his say on Tomas Soucek’s controversial handball vs Chelsea pic.twitter.com/igx48MV51Z
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 12, 2023

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“Yesterday, I saw the handball of Soucek,” said Cascarino on talkSPORT on Sunday (12 February).

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“I laughed because he literally dived like a keeper. Okay, he has not got his arms outstretched like a keeper to make a save, but you know, it’s a deliberate attempt.

“You could say well is he way too smart? The rules are if you’re falling to the ground, you need your arms to steady yourself. It’s a clear handball.

Problems

Well, it can be argued that the ball did strike the arm of Soucek, but describing it as a save like a keeper is too exaggerated.

This incident has generated a lot of attention and once again the laws of the game have come into question. Even some pundits have criticized VAR for the lack of understanding of the game when it’s down to the interpretation of any particular event.

West Ham have bigger problems though and that’s a major concern. Lucas Paqueta appears to have picked up a collarbone injury, and he could be out for a long spell.

The Brazilian, who joined the Hammers on a club-record fee, was playing really well in recent matches, and it gave the impression that he is finally settling down at the club.

However, this will come as a big blow to the player and the club, if his injury is serious.

In his absence, David Moyes will have to bring to Soucek alongside Declan Rice. Soucek has not been in the best of form in the past 18 months or so, and it’s a big challenge for him to make a serious impact.