Bayern Munich exec calls for handball rule reform

BELGRADE, SERBIA - APRIL 03: UEFA Honorary Member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks during the 49th Ordinary UEFA Congress at Sava Centar on April 03, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images

Bayern Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has had it with the ambiguity of the handball rule and is calling for change.

“Our game against PSG once again showed the urgent need for reform of the handball rule. It absolutely must be simplified. I’ve never before witnessed such heated discussions surrounding a handball in a stadium as last Wednesday. The referee’s decision may have been correct — but a conclusion must be drawn: the international rule-makers have created far too many exceptions regarding handball. The gray area has become too big, the rules are too vague, and this leaves too much room for interpretation. Simplification is essential for the good of football,” Rummenigge told Kicker journalist Georg Holzner (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “For me, a handball occurs when there’s intent behind it, or when someone unnaturally increases their body surface to their own advantage or to the opponent’s disadvantage. It’s that simple. When I look at Harry Kane’s alleged handball in Leverkusen, I’m speechless.

“In my day, handball was black and white – today it’s almost entirely gray. This rule needs to go back to black and white. It urgently needs reform, ideally before the World Cup. Otherwise, there will be a flood of questionable handball decisions there as well, ultimately helping to determine who becomes world champion. And it somewhat discredits VAR.”

Rummenigge is not alone with his sentiments. The room for interpretation is what seems to be the issue for many observers as the rules are ultimately left up to the decision of a referee, who has to make assumptions of intent in some cases to make a ruling.