5 controversial penalty decisions

5 controversial penalty decisions

Raheem Sterling won a penalty for Manchester City when he fell over after kicking the turf in their 6-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Referee Viktor Kassai wrongly awarded the spot kick which Gabriel Jesus scored.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at other controversial and bizarre penalty decisions.

Robbie Fowler v Arsenal, 1997

SOCCER Arsenal/Liv4
Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman saved Robbie Fowler’s penalty but Jason McAteer scored the rebound. (Sean Dempsey/PA)

Fowler went down as Seaman rushed out but immediately insisted there was no contact between the pair.

Ashby stuck to his decision and Seaman saved Fowler’s spot kick – only for Jason McAteer to score the rebound as Liverpool won 2-1.

Gordon Watson v Leeds, 1992

BRADFORD CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Gordon Watson played for Sheffield Wednesday for four years before joining Southampton and Bradford. (PA News)

At Hillsborough against rivals Leeds, the striker launched himself into the air a couple of paces after United defender Chris Whyte had stretched to prod the ball away.

John Lukic turned John Sheridan’s penalty onto the post, only for the winger to stab in the rebound but Leeds overcame the sense of injustice by winning 6-1.

Arjen Robben v Mexico, 2014

Soccer – FIFA World Cup 2014 – Semi Final – Netherlands v Argentina – Arena de Sao Paulo
Arjen Robben won a late penalty against Mexico in the 2014 World Cup. (Mike Egerton/PA)

Wesley Sneijder had levelled with two minutes left before Robben earned a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Raphael Marquez stretched for the ball but Robben kicked the back of his own left leg while initiating contact with Marquez allowing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to score and send Holland into the quarter finals.

Besart Berisha v Perth Glory, 2012

Soccer – International Friendly – England B v Albania – Turf Moor
Besart Berisha won and scored the controversial spot-kick winner. (Nick Potts/PA)

Deep into stoppage time in the A-League Grand Final, Brisbane Roar were awarded a penalty after Berisha’s air kick saw him end up on the ground and Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot.

Berisha, who had scored Roar’s equaliser, converted to win the final 2-1 in the most controversial fashion.

Corry Evans v Switzerland, 2017

Northern Ireland v Switzerland – 2018 World Cup Qualifying – Play Off – First Leg – Windsor Park
Northern Ireland’s Corry Evans disputes the decision against Switzerland. (Niall Carson/PA)

But it was the nature of the defeat which angered the hosts after referee Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan awarded a penalty against Corry Evans.

The official gave the spot kick for handball but replays showed Xherdan Shaqiri’s volley struck Evans on the back. Northern Ireland’s protests did not stop AC Milan defender Ricardo Rodriguez scoring from 12 yards.

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