Should Benjamin Šeško’s goal for Manchester United have stood? Referees debate handball 22

What happened: Šeško’s goal and the handball question

Benjamin Šeško scored a goal that put Manchester United 2-0 up against Liverpool — a strike whose legality was later scrutinised on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch. Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher and pundit Jay Bothroyd debated whether the goal should have been disallowed for handball, sparking discussion about how officials interpret and apply handball law in high-profile Premier League matches.

Key points from the Ref Watch segment

• The incident involved Benjamin Šeško’s goal that made it 2-0 for Manchester United against Liverpool, and Sky Sports ran a Ref Watch discussion on its legality.
• Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher took part in the debate, bringing an official’s perspective on handball interpretation.
• Former player and pundit Jay Bothroyd also contributed, offering a broadcaster’s view on whether the goal should have stood.
• The Sky Sports segment focused specifically on whether the goal should have been disallowed for handball.

Why the debate matters

Controversial handball decisions can change the course of big matches, particularly in high-stakes fixtures between Manchester United and Liverpool. When former referees and pundits publicly dissect incidents, it highlights both the complexity of the handball law and the reliance on VAR and match officials to apply it consistently. The Sky Sports Ref Watch discussion is part of a wider conversation about clarity and consistency in officiating.

How officials and pundits approach handball calls

Ref Watch segments typically examine whether contact was deliberate, whether the ball struck the attacker in a natural position, and whether the hand or arm made the body unnaturally bigger — all factors considered under the handball law. Ex-referees bring rules-based viewpoints while former players often consider game flow and the practical impact of disallowing a goal. Sky Sports’ discussion with Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd followed that format, assessing the incident involving Šeško from different perspectives.

What happens next

Sky Sports published the Ref Watch segment to present the debate; however, the supplied source metadata does not state whether VAR overturned the goal, whether the match officials made an on-field decision to allow it, or what the final match outcome was. Further verification from match reports or official referee statements is needed to confirm the final ruling and any disciplinary or regulatory follow-up.