Calacus Weekly Hit & Miss – Julian Alaphilippe & the handball law
Every week we look at the best and worst communicators in the sports world from the previous week.
HIT – JULIAN ALAPHILIPPE
Julian Alaphilippe has a reputation as one of cycling’s great entertainers and it was no surprise that his victory in the elite men’s road race at the UCI World Championships was popular among fans and rivals alike.
It’s been a difficult year for the 28-year-old, whose father Jo sadly passed away in June after a lengthy illness, but it’s a testament to Julian’s mental strength that he’s come back to record a Tour de France stage victory and world title since.
Alaphilippe’s Deceuninck-QuickStep team manager Patrick Lefevere told reporters that he'd "never seen as many men crying" as he did on Sunday and a visibly emotional Alaphilippe kept asking ‘are you proud of me?’.
The French rider is a credit to the sport and it’s hard not to root for someone who exerts his flair and passion for cycling in everything that he does on and off the bike.
The overused phrase ‘good guys never win’ is often referenced in competitive sport, but Alaphilippe’s win proved that is nonsense and was a clear demonstration of how to win with empathy and humility.
MISS – THE HANDBALL LAW
The controversial handball law introduced by the Premier League for the 2020/21 season has once again been criticised by players, managers, pundits, and fans, with many calling for it to be scrapped after just a few weeks.
Even Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce, whose side were beneficiaries of the rule when awarded a stoppage time penalty against Tottenham to gain a precious point, was extremely critical of the new rule, claiming football has “lost the plot”.
After the third weekend of matches there has been six penalties awarded for handball this campaign, compared to zero after the first three rounds of matches last season.
With football's lawmakers seeking consistent application of the laws around the world, the Premier League is unlikely to be able to revert back to their old interpretation unless it is changed at the highest level.
The debate will no doubt rumble on, but it’s a poor look for FIFA and The International Football Association Board (IFAB) and something must be done to address the concerns of football’s key stakeholders.