A bizarre error from Arsenal defender Leah Williamson proved costly in their 2-2 draw with Paris FC on Wednesday in the Women’s Champions League.
With the Gunners leading 2-1 late on, England captain Williamson stopped a short goal-kick with her hand – believing it had not been taken and that she was to take it – resulting in a penalty being awarded to the hosts, converted by Maeline Mendy.
The unusual incident means the Gunners are fourth in the Champions League table after their opening two games, but would have been second with a victory in the French capital.
How did the incident happen?
After the ball had gone out of play for a goal-kick, Arsenal goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez played a quick, short pass to Williamson.
Williamson had her arm stretched out to stop the ball and place it so that she could take the goal-kick herself.
With the ball being still and on the field of play when Rodriguez played the ball to Williamson, that was deemed to be the goal-kick instead of Williamson’s attempt.
Therefore Williamson was penalised for handball and Mendy levelled the match from the penalty spot.
What are the rules?
While Arsenal felt aggrieved at the decision, the guidance on such incidents state that the decision to award a penalty was correct.
Guidance from Law 16 of the International Football Association Board’s (Ifab) laws of the game state: “In goal-kick restarts, if the ball is stationary within the goal area and is kicked by any defending player, the goal-kick is considered to have been taken.
“If, after the ball is in play, [a player] commits a handball offence, a penalty kick is awarded if the offence occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area.
Law 12 from Ifab also states: “It is an offence if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm.”
Has this happened before?
In November 2024, Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings committed an identical error in a Champions League match against Club Brugge.
Brugge won a penalty that was scored by Hans Vanaken, with the Belgian side winning the match 1-0.
“The biggest mistake I witnessed in my career,” said Villa boss Unai Emery at the time.
Earlier that year, Gunners centre-back Gabriel also made the mistake in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
However in that instance, Arsenal were given the chance to retake the goal-kick.
“He [Gabriel] touched the ball with the hand because he thought it was not in game, but it was in game and the referee admitted it was in game and was handball,” said then Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
The now England head coach also said that the error in not awarding Bayern a penalty was a “kid’s mistake”.
What has been said?
Arsenal’s assistant coach Aaron D’Antino conducted post-match media duties and explained that, while the intention was for Williamson to take the goal-kick, they will use the incident as a learning experience.
“If we’re looking at what we can control, it’s just passing the ball to Leah from what I remember seeing. The ball was still rolling and she [Rodriguez] was moving it to Leah for her to take the goal-kicks as we normally do,” said D’Antino.
“So maybe the learning in that is how we get the ball to Leah, so we don’t put ourselves in that situation.”
Former Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie felt the referee Iuliana Demetrescu got the decision wrong, despite the correct applications of the laws.
“For me, I just don’t even know how that happens. Leah knows it’s a goal-kick, she’s catching the ball. That’s shocking from the referee,” Beattie told Paramount+.
“I would have been fuming and I would have been embarrassed if they gave that. This is not what they’re trying to do. It’s just beyond frustrating that that’s how they’ve tied the game.
“Leah’s obviously going [to do that] because she’s going to take the goal-kick, not because she’s worried about the press or trying to change it – or panicking in any situation. Leah Williamson doesn’t panic in those moments, she knows what she’s doing. The goalkeeper knows what she’s doing as well.
“The referee has miscalled it.”