I don’t care what any referee tells me, that just isn’t handball’: Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United’s last-gasp penalty shouldn’t have been given against PSG as Michael Owen agrees ‘it’s not one in a million years’.
Manchester United reached the Champions League quarter-finals courtesy of a controversial late penalty against PSG. Referee Damir Skomina spent what seemed an eternity to watch VAR footage of Presnel Kimpembe’s block before pointing to the spot. Marcus Rashford stepped up and kept his composure to slot home and ensure United progressed on away goals (3-3 agg).
The decision came after Diogo Dalot roamed forward and blasted a shot on goal. Kimpembe jumped in the way, turning his back in the process and the ball deflected off his arm for a corner. There were hardly any appeals for handball but Dalot himself pleaded with the referee to consider his case. Skomina was then directed by the team in his ear to review footage of the incident and gave the all-important penalty.
In the BT Sport studio, there was a consensus that the referee had made the incorrect decision. Rio Ferdinand said: ‘I don’t care what any referee tells me, that just isn’t handball. He’s facing the other way. ‘It’s unnatural to stand like this (arms down by his side), I don’t think it’s handball. I love it that it is handball but I don’t get it. The law is wrong.
‘Say you’re running at me and I’m stood four yards away. If I have to keep my arms down by side you’ve got an advantage. It’s unfair.’ Michael Owen chimed in in concurrence: ‘I know there’ll be people who will say it’s a penalty but for me it’s not one in a million years. He’s turned his back, his arm is not in an unnatural position. It’s just flicked off his arm and gone for a corner. As soon as it went to VAR you knew it was going to be a penalty. What we’re finding with VAR is every ex-footballer thinks something is not a penalty but every referee thinks it is. There’s a huge disconnect and that is the worrying thing.’