Football Bellamy queries handball rule after Wales' defeat to Belgium

CRAIG Bellamy suggested British football needs to do “something different” and get in line with a wider application of the handball rule after a controversial spot-kick gave Belgium the impetus to beat Wales 4-2 in their World Cup qualifier.

- Phil BLANCHE

Wales were leading through Joe Rodon’s header when Ethan Ampadu was punished for handling Charles De Ketelaere’s 17th-minute shot.

Ampadu’s arm was struck from pointblank range and was not far from his body, but the spot-kick was awarded by German referee Daniel Siebert after a VAR review and Kevin De Bruyne equalised.

Thomas Meunier, De Bruyne with a second penalty - after an obvious Jordan James handball - and Leandro Trossard added further Belgium goals, with Nathan Broadhead scoring Wales’ second.

“It was difficult to take at the time, but they are UEFA guidelines rules,” Bellamy said of the first penalty.