Former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani has weighed in on the controversial handball incident involving Kaizer Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC, insisting that Amakhosi were not denied a penalty during their Betway Premiership encounter.

The incident generated debate among Kaizer Chiefs supporters, with some fans arguing that the ball had struck a Stellenbosch player’s hand or arm inside the penalty area and that the referee should have pointed to the spot.

However, Hlungwani offered a different interpretation of the incident, explaining that the circumstances did not meet the requirements for a handball offence under the Laws of the Game.

Speaking on SABC Sport, the former referee examined the position of the player's arm when the ball approached. According to Hlungwani, the arm was in a natural position and the incident did not provide sufficient grounds for a penalty.

Hlungwani stressed that referees cannot automatically award a penalty whenever the ball makes contact with a player's hand or arm. Instead, officials must consider several factors, including the position of the arm, the player's movement and whether the player deliberately made their body unnaturally bigger.

In his assessment, there was no clear offence that warranted a spot-kick for Chiefs.

"We can see that the hand is in a natural position. Did it hit the hand? The answer is no. So, no penalty. Ayikho, you were not robbed, Amakhosi," Hlungwani said.

His comments provide a contrasting view to the frustration expressed by sections of the Chiefs fanbase, who believed the decision had gone against their team.

Handball decisions remain some of the most contentious moments in football because they can depend heavily on the precise circumstances of each incident. While supporters may continue to debate the decision, Hlungwani believes the referee was correct not to award a penalty.

The controversy is another example of the intense scrutiny surrounding Kaizer Chiefs, with every major refereeing decision involving the club often attracting significant attention.

For Amakhosi, the focus will now shift towards their upcoming fixtures as they seek to improve their league position and maintain their challenge in the Betway Premiership.

Source:

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