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Premier League’s Key Match Incident panel deliver verdict on controversial handball calls in Man City v Sunderland

Sunderland were left frustrated by key calls in their defeat to Man City before the international break

Sunderland Echo

Published: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 12:20 PM

Key Things to Know

The Key Match Incident Panel voted 3-2 supporting the decision not to award Sunderland a penalty.
Manchester City defeated Sunderland 5-3 in the Premier League fixture.
The panel also voted 4-1 to uphold Antoine Semenyo's goal despite an accidental handball by Marc Guehi.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The Premier League's Key Match Incident Panel narrowly backed the decision not to award Sunderland a penalty for handball in their 5-3 defeat to Manchester City. The panel voted 3-2 in favor of referee Rob Jones and the VAR, concluding that Elliot Anderson's handball against Enzo Le Fée was accidental.

The panel also voted 4-1 to uphold Manchester City's third goal, ruling that a handball by Marc Guehi prior to Antoine Semenyo's finish was not deliberate. Additionally, the article notes an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of financial rule breaches dating from 2009-10 to 2017-18, a ruling City intends to appeal.

Read the full article on Sunderland Echo