Dango Ouattara ‘handball’ too close to call… could easily have been a goal, writes MARK CLATTENBURG

Bournemouth had a goal disallowed in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle after VAR ruled out the ball had gone under the sleeve line of goalscorer Dango Ouattara’s left arm.

After watching the incident, former Premier League referee MARK CLATTENBURG gave his verdict to Mail Sport in the latest edition of the OFFICIAL LINE…

The rules state that if any part of the ball touches Dango Ouattara’s sleeve line, it is considered a handball.

If you watch the replay, it’s a really tough one — is it coming off the shoulder? A little bit under the sleeve?

I don’t think there’s anything concrete to say that it was under the sleeve. If the goal had been awarded, I don’t think anyone would have complained about it.

Dango Ouattara (third from left) thought he had scored for Bournemouth against Newcastle

Ouattara’s 93rd-minute goal was eventually disallowed after a VAR review for handball

VAR determined that Cherries winger Ouattara had scored with his left arm

VAR Tim Robinson has looked at it several times and has concluded that it is under the sleeve, but based on the evidence I have seen, it is a harsh statement.

If you get it, you’re happy. If you don’t get it, you’re angry.

But I think this is one of those incidents where we need to look at it quickly and then move on, as refereeing chief Howard Webb and his team have said they will do this season.

They stand by their decision and say there is enough evidence, but to me it could just as easily have been a goal.