On this weeks TSNFC podcast we spent a long time discussing the handball decision that effectively ended Vancouver Whitecaps season. Much has been said and written about whether or not World Cup referee Mark Geiger made the right call to penalize Kendall Waston in last weeks playoff match at Dallas, with many differing opinions on the matter. There doesnt seem to be a consensus, although Geigers boss - referees chief Peter Walton - said it was the correct decision and a standard call. As a veteran Premier League referee who now runs the Professional Referees Organization in North America, Waltons opinion should be respected, but the controversy surrounding the decision - and many other handball decisions we see all over the world each week - could easily be avoided if there were a change to the law. In my view, there are two things wrong with the current law. Firstly, the punishment doesnt fairly reflect the size of the crime. Secondly, there is too much room for interpretation of the referee which makes consistency of decisions almost impossible. Here are the main points of the current FIFA Law: Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into consideration: ? the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand) ? the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball) ? the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an infringement Deliberate - done consciously and intentionally I dont think Kendall Waston made a conscious and intentional decision to handle the ball inside the penalty area in the last 10 minutes of a playoff match. In my mind it was a momentary lapse in concentration from the towering defender rather than a deliberate act. In relation to this law, it seems deliberate can also mean a player didnt react quickly enough to move his hand/arm out of the way of the ball. But the fact the law allows such ambiguity means officials are in the spotlight more than necessary whether or not they get the decision right. There must be a better way. Although video replays will certainly assist officials decision making in other areas, in the instance of Waston it wouldnt have made much difference because even with review, the decision would have been made depending on the officials interpretation of the law. One suggestion I have seen is to award a penalty anytime the ball hits a hand or arm inside the area whether it is intentional or not. A clear rule - it doesnt matter how it happens, if the ball strikes the hand, it is a penalty. Theres very little room for argument and interpretation there, but I think it would lead to far too many penalties and also an excessive number of game changing moments. Again, the punishment wouldnt match the offence. New Law So how about this. In order to provide clarity, I would be in favour of a rule change along the following lines: Anytime a player makes contact with the ball inside the penalty area with his hand or arm, an indirect free kick will be given. There is no room for interpretation - if it hits the arm or hand whether deliberate or not, it is an indirect free kick. There is one exception. If a player handles the ball to prevent a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity, a penalty is given. With this rule applied, Kendall Wastons handball would have been penalized with an indirect free kick, still giving the opposing team the benefit of a set piece close to goal but eliminating the need for a referee to award a penalty for an incident that was not going to end in a goal. For me, that far better reflects the size of the infringement and also would remove much of the debate surrounding penalty kicks awarded for handball. Im not na?ve enough to expect that changing the law would eliminate all problems. Im sure in some instances there would still be controversy and debate surrounding what is or isnt an obvious goal scoring opportunity. But I believe it would drastically decrease the amount of times a game is decided by a referees decision and therefore lead to more post-game talk about players instead of officiating – and that can only be a good thing. Air Force 1 Norge . Bayern led second-place Leverkusen by 10 points with a game in hand, while Dortmund was another four points off the pace. Freiburg midfielder Felix Klaus scored in the last minute as his side twice came from behind to climb provisionally out of the relegation zone. Nike Air Force 1 Salg . Modin, 36, tallied seven goals and three assists in 36 games with the Thrashers this season. The Sundsvall, Sweden, native has posted 232 goals and 230 assists in 894 career NHL games with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Columbus, Los Angeles and Atlanta and has appeared in 57 post-season contests, helping the Lightning capture the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship. http://www.airforce1norge.com/air-force-1-just-do-it.html. He was signed to help with depth to the receiving corps because of the loss of Shamawd Chambers to the 6-game injured list. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . After not scoring 40 points in the opening quarter in the last five seasons, the Rockets have done it five times this season and twice in the last three games. Air Force 1 Svart Norge . The international synchronized skating competition takes place from January 31 - February 1, 2014, and features 39 teams from 10 countries, in senior, junior, and novice.East Rutherford, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - It wasnt pretty, but the New England Patriots secured a first-round bye with a 17-16 win over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Tom Brady completed 23-of-35 passes for 182 yards with one touchdown for New England (12-3), which will clinch the AFCs top seed if Denver loses at Cincinnati on Monday night. With the Patriots clinging to a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, Brady threw an interception while under pressure, a theme throughout the game. Cornerback Marcus Williams picked off the pass that deflected off wide receiver Brandon LaFells hands at the New England 31-yard line. The Patriots defense stiffened as a third-down sack by linebacker Donta Hightower forced a 52-yard Nick Folk field goal attempt that was tipped by lineman Vince Wilfork and landed short. New England ran out the remaining 5:16, converting a pair of third downs. Danny Amendola, filling in for Julian Edelman on both offense and special teams, was tackled near the marker at the New York 48-yard line after a screen pass on 3rd-and-7. Some confusion ensued as the ball appeared to be inches shy of a first down based upon a measurement. However, the official signaled a first down, leading to a unsuccessful challenge by the Jets. Brandon Bolden then ran around the right edge for 17 yards on 3rd-and-1 to seal the win. We were able to make the plays we needed to make at the end of the game and thats a credit to the players, said New England coach Bill Belichick, who earned his 230th career win to surpass Curly Lambeau for sole possession of fourth place in NFL history. Geno Smith passed for 210 yards on 17-of-27 efficiency with a touchdown and one interception for the Jets (3-12). Another game that I thought we had a chance to win against New England, but thats been the story. Probably four of the last five times weve playyed them it seems like that, but to their credit they find ways to win, said Jets coach Rex Ryan.dddddddddddd The New York defense hounded Brady right from the start, registering three first-quarter sacks. New England began the second quarter in New York territory after a 39-yard punt return by Amendola, who had eight catches on 11 targets for 63 yards in place of Edelman. The Patriots leading receiver missed the game with a concussion and a thigh injury. Brady capped the six-play, 36-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski. The tight end lined up wide left and hauled in a back-shoulder fade from three yards out. The Jets tied the game at 7-7 when tight end Jeff Cumberland beat safety Patrick Chung on a seam route for a 25-yard touchdown catch. Center Nick Mangold was carted off the field with a left ankle injury during the 12-play, 87-yard drive. Folk kicked a 26-yard field goal to put New York up 10-7 late in a first half that saw New England limited to 52 yards. The Jets reached the red zone on their opening possession of the third quarter, but settled for a 23-yard Folk field goal. New England then changed its tempo on offense, going no-huddle, and had success moving the ball. The drive ultimately stalled at the New York 6-yard line and Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 24-yard field goal. Smith was then picked off by linebacker Jamie Collins on an underthrown pass to tight end Jace Amaro. The Patriots moved in front off the turnover as Jonas Gray ran for a 1-yard touchdown 1:09 into the fourth quarter. Folk made a 37-yard field goal with 7:53 remaining to cap the ensuing New York drive. Game Notes New York wide receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) left the game and didnt return ... The Jets outgained the Patriots 307-231 ... Brady was sacked four times overall. ' ' '