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Crystal Palace ‘handball’ goal v Forest not a VAR error – panel

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says Crystal Palace's second goal against Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed on the field for handball - but backed the video assistant referee's decision not to intervene.

By Dale Johnson · BBC Sport

Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 3:40 PM

Key Things to Know

The Premier League KMI Panel backed VAR for not overturning Crystal Palace's controversial goal against Nottingham Forest.
The panel voted 3:2 that referee Peter Bankes made an on-field error by not disallowing the handball goal.
Footage available to VAR Darren England did not provide conclusive evidence to overturn the goal during the game.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel determined that Crystal Palace's second goal against Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed on the field for handball. However, the panel unanimously supported the decision by video assistant referee Darren England not to intervene. Crystal Palace went on to win the match 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

The incident occurred late in the first half when the ball deflected off Anan Khalaili's arm into the net. The panel noted that the footage readily available to the VAR during the match lacked conclusive evidence to overturn referee Peter Bankes' original on-field decision.

Read the full article on BBC Sport

Crystal Palace ‘handball’ goal v Forest not a VAR error – panel

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