Harry Maguire could find himself in hot water after Manchester United’s 2-1 win against Chelsea, with reports claiming the Premier League might look into his actions during the game.
The incident happened in the second half when Maguire was subbed off for Leny Yoro.
What should have been a simple substitution has now created headlines, as the England defender appeared not to follow the correct matchday rules.
What Happened with Maguire
Normally, when a player is taken off, they are told to leave the pitch at the nearest point. Referee Peter Bankes even pointed Maguire in that direction.
But instead of heading straight off, the centre-back walked behind the goal Chelsea were defending.
While doing so, Maguire cheekily kicked a ball that had rolled off one of the cones behind the goal line. This might look harmless, but under Premier League rules, it is classed as breaking the “multiball protocol.”
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What Is the Multiball Protocol?
The multiball system was brought in to make games quicker and stop time-wasting. Since the 2022/23 season, spare balls have been placed on cones behind each goal line, close to the penalty box.
The idea is simple, when the ball goes out, players can grab one quickly and restart the game.
The rules also make it clear that players, substitutes, or any staff are not allowed to interfere with these balls unless they’re needed for play. Only goalkeepers, when taking a goal kick, are allowed to take a ball from the assistants behind the net.
So when Maguire tapped the ball away, even though it looked like a joke, he technically broke the rule.
Could Man United Be in Trouble?
The Premier League has stated before that “any failure to follow the multiball protocol will be referred for investigation.”
That means Maguire’s actions could be looked at more closely, even if it was just a light-hearted kick.
Manchester United as a club could also be reminded to make sure all players follow the guidelines properly.
However, it’s believed the issue won’t lead to serious punishment. At most, Maguire might just get a warning or a quiet word about his behaviour.
Maguire’s actions don’t look like they were done with bad intent. It seemed more like a bit of cheek during a tense game. Still, the Premier League is very strict about keeping the rules the same for everyone.
For United, this might just be a small side story after an important win over Chelsea.
But for Maguire, it’s a reminder that even little actions on the pitch can attract unwanted attention. Fans will hope the matter ends quickly so focus stays on the football.
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