Spectators were outraged when Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer appeared to handle a back-pass off the goal line during a match against Wolves, believing he should have been sent off.
However, an obscure rule prevented him from even receiving a yellow card for the incident, which occurred while Ipswich was leading 1-0 against Vitor Pereira`s team.
Ipswich, who eventually lost the match 2-1 as they fight to avoid relegation, passed the ball back to Palmer, who miscontrolled it and let it roll towards his own goal.
Just before the ball crossed the line, Palmer rushed back and used his hands to scoop it up, happening within the 34th minute of the game.
Referee Peter Bankes immediately awarded Wolves an indirect free-kick from inside the six-yard box.
In response, all eleven Ipswich players positioned themselves on the goal line, while seven Wolves players crowded inside the box around the ball.
Despite this, Wolves were required to pass the ball before shooting, giving Ipswich`s struggling team an opportunity to clear the danger.
Wolves opted to pass the free-kick to Emmanuel Agbadou, who shot powerfully from close range, but Sam Morsy reacted quickly to block the attempt.
Many fans expressed their anger and confusion online, questioning why Palmer was not dismissed for preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
One fan commented: “How was he not sent off there?”
However, the official rules clarify that Palmer`s action was not a sending-off offense.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that sets the laws of football, if a goalkeeper handles a back-pass, “an indirect free kick is awarded and no card is shown.”
The Football Association`s guidelines also state: “If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction.”
Palmer was not booked for handling the back-pass but did receive a caution for encroachment before the free-kick was taken.
Consequently, fans felt aggrieved that the goalkeeper did not receive two yellow cards and get sent off.
Earlier in the match, Liam Delap scored the opening goal with a header in the 16th minute, following a lengthy VAR review for a potential offside.
The game turned against Ipswich in the 72nd minute when substitute Pablo Sarabia equalized for Wolves.
Later, Jorgen Strand Larsen scored from close range, securing a 2-1 victory for the visiting Wolves.
