Edwards' bemusement with the handball laws continue

I can't recall a recent weekend pass by where I haven't heard something along the lines of: "I’m just not sure what is handball these days".

Whether it be from fans, commentators like myself, or the array of former players working as media pundits.

Now, stick with me, the obvious starting point for this conversation is what do the laws actually say.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the self-proclaimed independent guardians of the rules of association football, state a handball offence is committed when a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, or touches the ball with their hand or arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.

When I asked Rob Edwards for his thoughts on the two spot-kicks awarded in Sheffield United’s 3-1 victory he replied: "I don't think either were penalties but I don't know what is a handball anymore."

Now that’s some statement to come out of the mouth of a Premier League manager, working in what is regularly reported as the most-watched sports league in the world.

For me, education isn’t the issue here. I have no doubt Luton’s manager knows exactly what the law is. His bemusement is more down to how those written rules transfer to the real-time practical application made by both the on-field referee and the Video Assistant Referee at Stockley Park.

Edwards later expanded on his frustration when speaking to the written press, stating: "Neither player is looking at the ball, both players have got to jump and have their hands up."

He also refused to blame referee Chris Kavanagh: "They [VAR] check everything so it's not the referee's fault. They get told to go and look at them and, once they go and look at them, you’ve got a chance of getting them, so it’s not his fault."

Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) is a busy man. He’s made a conscious effort to regularly provide detailed, public explanations of crucial decisions.

If I could add to his workload, I would recommend a trip to Kenilworth Road given Edwards told me he has not received any contact from either Webb or the PGMOL to help further his understanding of just what handball is in the modern game.