FA Cup quarter-final handball incident spurs the penalty kick (1891)

The 14 February 1891 FA Cup quarter-final incident in Stoke-on-Trent involved a deliberate handball on the goal line by a Notts County player against Stoke City. The resulting indirect free kick failed to score, highlighting the inadequacy of existing rules for preventing certain goals. This event, alongside a Scottish Cup incident, strengthened the argument for William McCrum's proposed penalty kick, which was approved in June 1891.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. William McCrum, an Irish linen manufacturer and goalkeeper, invented the penalty kick in 1890. The idea was submitted to the International Football Association Board in June 1890 but deferred. The penalty kick was designed to address situations where a handball prevented an otherwise-certain goal, as the existing indirect free kick was considered an inadequate remedy.

The Quarter-Final Incident. On 14 February 1891, during an FA Cup quarter-final between Stoke City and Notts County, a Notts County player committed a blatant handball on the goal line. The referee awarded an indirect free kick, which did not result in a goal. This incident, along with a similar event in the Scottish Cup, lent additional force to the argument for implementing the penalty kick.

Adoption of the Penalty Kick. Following the debate sparked by incidents like the Stoke City match, the International Football Association Board approved the penalty kick rule on 2 June 1891. The rule was added as number 13 in the Laws of the Game, marking a significant change in how deliberate handballs preventing goals were punished.

People involved

Sources

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