SportsNews
Kai Havertz: Premier League explain why goal was disallowed as new footage emerges
- Kai Havertz’s disallowed goal vs Aston Villa has generated intense discussions online after the late VAR call
- Arsenal faithful thought they had gotten a winner against Unai Emery’s side, only for the VAR to rule it out
- The discussions have revolved around which part of Havertz’s body the ball hit, even as the EPL offered an explanation
Arsenal fans are convinced Kai Havertz’s goal against Aston Villa was wrongly disallowed after new footage emerged.
Havertz thought he had won the game for the Gunners after he deflected Mikel Merino’s shot past Emi Martinez, only for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to chalk it off.

A big screen at the Emirates shows VAR reviewing Kai Havertz’s goal against Aston Villa. Photo by Glyn Kirk. Source: Getty Images
Why Havertz’s late goal vs Aston Villa was disallowed
Initial replays showed that the ball hit the German’s hand as he attempted to get out of the way. The Premier League immediately explained why the goal was disallowed.
“The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz’s arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
This is in line with IFAB’s Section 12, which states,
“It is an offence if a player: 1) scores in the opponents’ goal, directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper and 2) immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.”
New footage of Havertz’s ‘handball’ emerges
However, despite the explanation, a section of Arsenal fans are still convinced the ball didn’t hit Havertz’s arm after a new slow-motion video surfaced.
The ball appears to ricochet against the former Chelsea forward’s stomach before going in.
@EmanDaGoon asked,
“Kai Havertz ‘handball’ in slow motion. Please tell me I’m not going crazy, but where’s the handball?”
@SamColeman said,
“If that ball indeed hit his right hand, the trajectory of the ball will certainly not be up. The same video shows it coming off his midriff. Either way, it’s inconclusive.”
The disallowed goal was another disappointment to Mikel Arteta, who saw his side blow away a two-goal lead and drop points in the title race yet again.
Liverpool vs Arsenal EPL title race
Liverpool had earlier beaten a stubborn Brentford thanks to a Darwin Nunez brace in stoppage time, and Arsenal needed nothing short of a win to maintain the chase at the top.
Leandro Trossard was the star of the show, setting up the two goals for Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz inside the first 55 minutes. Youri Tielemans, however, pulled one back before Watkins scored the equaliser after poor marking inside the Arsenal area.
The stalemate leaves Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who still have that game in hand.
Reactions to Arsenal draw
TUKO.co.ke has also reported on the reactions of Arsenal fans after they squandered a two-goal lead.
The Gunners dominated most of the game, but two defensive lapses in the second half allowed Emery’s side to get back into it.
SportsNews
2026 World Cup: Super Eagles waiting for FIFA’s decision – Iwobi
Super Eagles playmaker, Alex Iwobi, has admitted they are waiting to see if the team would still play at the 2026 World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is optimistic of a potential lifeline from FIFA, after it submitted a petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Iwobi was asked by SuperSport if he would rather lift the AFCON 2025 trophy or qualify for the World Cup?
The 29-year-old, who played at the 2018 of the World Cup, replied: “I mean we’re still waiting, well hopefully we can go to the World Cup, but I feel it’s a tough one.
“It’s a tough one because winning AFCON is like… It’s a great legacy, it’s a great thing to have like in your career, a memorable moment.
“But then at the same time, because I’ve been to the World Cup already, a lot of the players haven’t been. They would like to say ‘I want to go to the World Cup,’ so I can’t be selfish and say win the AFCON and for my teammates to not go to the World Cup. So it’s a tough one. I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Politics
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDOLES WITH SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE OF THE SUPER EAGLES ON THE PASSING OF HIS MOTHER
President Bola Tinubu sends his condolences
to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extends his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday.
President Tinubu mourns with the Chukwueze family and encourages them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President says.
President Tinubu prays that God Almighty will grant the departed eternal rest.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
SportsNews
EPL: Arsenal’s starting XI against Man Utd unveiled
Arsenal’s starting XI to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday evening has been unveiled.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to start Gabriel Jesus ahead of Viktor Gyokeres to lead the Gunners’ attack against the Red Devils.
This comes after Jesus scored a brace against Inter Milan in the Champions League in midweek.
The Brazilian will be assisted by Bukayo Saka and Leandro on the wings.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard return to join Martin Zubimendi.
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