Why Chelsea were not given a penalty vs West Ham after Tomas Soucek blocked Conor Gallagher shot

Great controversy erupted at the London Stadium in the final minutes of Chelsea’s clash with West Ham after Conor Gallagher’s shot was blocked by Tomas Soucek arm. 

Chelsea’s Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez (2L) appeals to Referee Craig Pawson for a penalty, as West Ham United’s Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek (L) walks away during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Chelsea at the London Stadium, in London on February 11, 2023.

Chelsea were not awarded a penalty against West Ham after Soucek blocked Gallagher’s shot.

It has been revealed why Referee Robert Jones did not award Chelsea a penalty in the dying embers of the West Ham clash. Conor Gallagher unleashed an effort from just outside the box which struck the arm of Tomas Soucek as he fell to the ground when trying to block said shot.

The Blues players were up in arms, surrounding Madley as they pleaded for a spot-kick. However, despite consultation of the video assistant referee team of David Coote and Nick Greenhalgh, it was ruled that Graham Potter’s side would not have the chance to clinch three points from 12-yards.

Speaking to BT Sport, ‘referee expert’ Peter Walton stated that the wrong decision was made by the on-field referees and the VAR team. He said: “Well when Soucek goes down there, you can clearly see his arm go down.

“Is his arm down there to prevent him from hitting the ground or is his arm there to block the ball? My opinion is if it hasn’t been given he’s got away with it, I think that’s a penalty kick.”

However, according to The International Football Association Board (IFAB), there will be no penalty if a player is falling and the ball touches their hand/arm when it’s between their body and the ground, but not extended to make the body bigger. IFAB rules also state that a penalty won’t be given if the ball makes contact with a player’s hand/arm immediately from their own head/body/foot or the head/body/foot of another player.

“Deliberate handball remains an offence,” said David Elleray, IFAB technical director, in 2019. “In the past we’ve managed to improve the laws by focusing on outcome rather than intent.

“What we are looking at particularly in attacking situations is where the player gets a clear unfair advantage by gaining possession or control of the ball, as a result of it making contact with their hand or arm.”