Why Dean Henderson was not sent off in Crystal Palace vs Man City FA Cup final explained

opted not to direct referee Stuart Attwell to the pitch-side monitor following an incident where goalkeeper in the

As pursued a ball near the edge of the Palace box, Henderson used his glove to deflect the ball towards the side of the pitch. While there were no immediate protests from the City players, the game was halted as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) scrutinised the incident more closely.

Slow-motion replays seemed to show the Eagles' goalkeeper handling the ball while his right foot was marginally outside his area. Despite this, VAR decided against directing the referee to the screen.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

football.london can shed light on why this decision was made.

Typically, when a goalkeeper handles the ball outside their penalty area, it is considered a handball offence and the opposing team is awarded a free kick. The goalie is often shown a yellow card, but a red can be issued if they prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

football.london understands that the referee's call of no red card was checked and confirmed by VAR. The direction that Haaland was going in made it a possible but not an obvious goal scoring opportunity. A defender was also to the side of Haaland.

ITV pundit was left shocked by the decision. He said: "Hold on. Hold on a minute now. Where he touches that ball is a goalscoring opportunity. Where he puts it makes it a non-goalscoring opportunity but where the offence is committed is a goalscoring opportunity, surely."

Conversely, BBC pundit believed the call was justified, though he felt Henderson could have reacted more efficiently: "The keeper was caught in two minds then. Dean Henderson nearly got done. There's no doubt that Dean Henderson touches that with his hand. It is clear to me that Erling Haaland is going away from goal."