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.
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. 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." 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". 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.
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