Andy Murray has joined Gary Lineker and Gary Neville in claiming that William Saliba’s handball call against Chelsea was a wrong decision.
Chelsea ace Mykhailo Mudryk headed a cross from Sterling which was headed towards the goal before it struck Saliba’s arm.
Action continued at the Stamford Bridge in the weekend encounter before the intervention of VAR and Chelsea was awarded a penalty.
Tennis star Andy Murray, who has preciously stated that he is an Arsenal fan, stated that he was not sure of the decision.
Replying to a post on X, Andy Murray wrote: “If you watch a replay and just look at mudryk arms when he jumps they make exactly the same movement as Saliba… both totally natural jumping positions.”
The decision for penalty was made by VAR and it has been widely condemned with Gary Neville and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker also against the decision.
Former United player Neville said: “It hits William Saliba’s arm, there is no doubt about that. I think he could be in a little bit of bother here.”
“Coming off the back of the Everton game earlier [vs Liverpool], I would say this is going to be given I would say.”
Neville, who backed Andy Murray, added: “This is all about whether Saliba’s arm is there because he is trying to win the ball – it’s certainly above, out and away from his body. Is he just using that arm for leverage or to gain an advantage? The fact is it doesn’t matter.”
“None of us are sure what a penalty is anymore but that is consistent with what we saw in the Merseyside derby today.”
Gary Lineker was also not in support of the VAR decision, posted on X, saying: “The handball law is utterly ludicrous.”
Aside from Andy Murray, Lineker and Neville, former Chelsea player and legend John Terry was also not in support of the call by the VAR.
The former Blues defender writing on X, said: “Delighted we got the penalty but I don’t agree with the rules on this.”
“Very harsh on defenders. I would have been fuming if that was given against me back in the day.”
Who Is Andy Murray?
Sir Andrew Barron Murray OBE, born on May 15, 1987, is a British professional tennis player.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) placed him as the world’s top singles player for 41 weeks, and he ended the year as the top player.
In addition to making 11 major finals, Murray has won three Grand Slam singles championships—two at Wimbledon (2013 and 2016) and one at the US Open (2012).
From July 2008 to October 2017, Murray spent all but one month in the top 10, he never fell below No. 4 in nine years.
Murray has won 46 ATP Tour singles championships, including 14 Masters 1000 tournaments and two Olympic gold medals.
