A bizarre mishap by Arsenal defender Leah Williamson cost the Gunners a win in their 2-2 stalemate with Paris FC on Wednesday.
The hosts equalised when Maeline Mendy converted a spot‑kick after Williamson, thinking she could claim the goal‑kick, handled the ball.
The slip left Arsenal fourth in the group, whereas a victory would have placed them second after two matches.
Get in touch
Send us your questions
How did the incident happen?
After a goal‑kick went out, keeper Misa Rodriguez slipped a short pass straight to Williamson.
She stretched her arm, aiming to claim the restart herself.
Because the ball was still on the pitch when Rodriguez passed, officials ruled it a legitimate goal‑kick, not a restart by Williamson.
Consequently, the handball earned a penalty, which Mendy scored to level the game.
What are the rules?
Arsenal protested, yet the governing guidance confirms the penalty was justified.
IFAB Law 16 states that a stationary ball in the goal area, kicked by any defender, counts as a taken goal‑kick.
If a handball occurs after play resumes inside the penalty area, a spot‑kick is awarded.
Law 12 also defines a deliberate handball as an offence.
Has this happened before?
In November 2024, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings made the same mistake against Club Brugge.
Brugge’s penalty, scored by Hans Vanaken, secured a 1‑0 win.
Villa manager Unai Emery called it the biggest error of his career.
Earlier, Arsenal centre‑back Gabriel mishandled a ball in a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.
Arsenal were allowed to retake the goal‑kick in that case.
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel explained Gabriel thought the ball was out, but it was in play and hand‑touched.
The former England boss labelled the missed penalty call a “kid’s mistake.”
What has been said?
Assistant coach Aaron D’Antino said the plan was to let Williamson take the kick, and they’ll learn from it.
He noted the ball was still moving and Rodriguez was simply feeding it to Leah as usual.
The takeaway? Ensure the ball reaches Leah without creating a handball risk.
Former Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie argued referee Iuliana Demetrescu got it wrong despite the law.
Beattie told Paramount+ she couldn’t understand the call, saying Leah was clearly handling a goal‑kick.
She said she would have been furious and embarrassed if the decision stood, calling it frustrating.
Beattie added that Leah wasn’t panicking; she knew the routine, as did the keeper.
She concluded the official’s decision was a miscall.
More questions answered…
How much money do clubs receive for Nations League players?
All you need to know about the 2027 Women’s World Cup
How does CAS work and why can’t Manchester City appeal to it?
Why are Northern Ireland facing Ukraine in Slovakia?