Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has called for a Premier League meeting to clear up confusion over the handball rule, after a disputed decision proved decisive in his side's 3-2 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.

Matheus Cunha's goal — which put United 2-1 ahead at Old Trafford, coming almost immediately after Morato had levelled — stood despite Bryan Mbeumo appearing to control the ball with his arm before his shot was blocked and fell to Cunha. Referee Michael Salisbury viewed the incident on the pitchside monitor at the recommendation of VAR, but ultimately ruled the handball accidental and allowed the goal to stand.

The decision explained

The controversy stems from a 2021 amendment to the handball law, which removed the requirement to penalise accidental handball by a player if a team-mate subsequently scores or creates a goalscoring opportunity. Salisbury invoked that rule, deciding that Mbeumo's contact with the ball was unintentional — a conclusion that overrode the view of the officials at Stockley Park.

Pereira was far from convinced. Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Portuguese manager said the incident amounted to deliberate control and directly influenced the outcome of the match.