The International Football Association Board (IFAB) updated the handball law in March stating that accidental handball will “no longer be considered an offence”. The new rule was introduced on July 1 in time for the opening Euro 2020 game between Italy and Turkey on Friday night.

When did the handball rule change?

The handball law was updated in March by football's law-making body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB). IFAB said accidental handball will “no longer be considered an offence”, with the new rule to come into effect from July 1.

What is the new handball rule?

The new rule now states it is a handball if a player: deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball; touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger.