‘How is he not off?’ – Fans baffled by Ipswich keeper’s blunder but little-known rule says he shouldn’t even be booked

FANS called for Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer to be sent off after he used his hands to clear a back-pass off the line.

But a little-known rule saved him from being booked for his shocking blunder, with Ipswich 1-0 up on Wolves at the time.

Ipswich passed the ball back to Palmer but he let the ball run through his legs.

It was about to roll over the line before the stopper chased back and scooped it up with his hands.

Referee Anthony Taylor immediately awarded an indirect free-kick to Wolves inside the six-yard box.

All 11 Ipswich player gathered across the line in unison, as seven Wolves stars stood inside the box on top of the ball.

But Wolves had to pass the ball before shooting, which allowed the relegation-threatened home side to clear.

Wolves touched the free-kick to Emmanuel Agbadou who belted it from six yards but Sam Morsy was out quickly to block it away.

However, fans were outraged and confused as to why Palmer hadn't been sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

But the rules clearly show that it's not a bookable offence.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) who set the laws of the game state if a goalkeeper handles a backpass “an indirect free kick is awarded and no card is shown.”

The Football Association's guidance is also clear: “If the goalkeeper handles the ball inside their penalty area when not permitted to do so, an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction.”

Liam Delap opened the scoring inside 16 minutes after a lengthly VAR check.

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