Bevis Mugabi in handball confusion claim as Motherwell defender reflects on Rangers penalty awards

Steelmen defender claims players are confused by handball law

Bevis Mugabi admits the handball rule is confusing for players

Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi has urged football bosses to review the handball rule.

The 25-year-old was penalised for handling the ball in the box in ‘Well’s 5-1 defeat to Rangers on Sunday – one of two spot-kicks awarded to the visitors for handball – but claimed he couldn’t do anything about the incident.

Speaking to The Scotsman’s sister title the Motherwell Times, Mugabi said: “[Scott Arfield] kind of flicked it and it went straight into my arm.

“I couldn’t really do anything. I think my arms were by my side as well.

“With the handball rule, nobody knows what’s a handball and what isn’t now. So it’s a bit of a difficult one to take. I think they have to review the handball rule for sure.

“My arms were by my side as well so I don’t know what I should be doing now – should my hand be up, should it be down?

“I think quite a lot of the managers are frustrated about the handball rule as well. The players are too, and me personally, because obviously that gives them the 1-0 lead.”

Stephen Robinson’s side were aggrieved by the penalty award and their frustration heightened when referee Bobby Madden waved away appeals for a penalty of their own after Gers midfielder Glen Kamara apeared to foul Allan Campbell in the box.

The whistler then awarded a second penalty to the visitors for another handball by Liam Grimshaw.

The Fir Park side have now conceded an astonishing nine penalties in their opening nine matches.

Ugandan internationalist Mugabi continued: “I didn’t really get a view of the Grimshaw handball because I was at the back post and Grimmy was at the front post.

“I honestly haven’t got an opinion about that second penalty but from what I’ve heard it’s a bit of harsh as well.

“Giving away so many penalties is something we need to work on. We need to make sure we’re in the right positions to try and deal with the crosses coming into our box to prevent us from giving away penalties as easy as we are at the moment.”