Rio Ferdinand SLAMS referee’s decision to award Chelsea a penalty in 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund

Rio Ferdinand has criticized the referee’s decision to award Chelsea a crucial penalty in their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.

The Blues were awarded the penalty in the 53rd minute of their Champions League round of 16 second leg, with the aggregate score tied 1-1 at the time.

Kai Havertz stepped in to score the penalty, in the second time he had asked after initially missing, but, later, there were questions about the penalty decision.

The referee decided to award Graham Potter’s side the crucial penalty after Ben Chilwell’s cross hit Marius Wolf’s arm from close range.

Talking about the referee’s decision, about SportFerdinand said: ‘Obviously he hasn’t played football.

The Blues were awarded the crucial penalty after Ben Chilwell’s cross hit Marius Wolf’s hand.

Referee Danny Makkelie was the one who awarded Chelsea the crucial penalty in the match.

‘You can’t get your hands out of the way there. We understand that there are laws in the game, but some of them are made to look ridiculous.

“They are trying to take away every positive element from a defender. The rules give the attackers all the advantage.’

Ferdinand’s co-expert and former Chelsea winger Joe Cole said: “They’re trying to make the rule black and white, but that’s a gray area.”

‘A footballer will know that when you’re that close and you try to block the shot… your arm is going to turn that way naturally. There’s nothing intentional about that.’

After receiving the penalty, Kai Havertz stepped forward and saw his shot hit the post before the referee ruled for a retake after a Dortmund defender encroached.

Pundits argued that the Dortmund defender was in a natural position and too close to move.

Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole has admitted there was ‘nothing intentional’ in the handball call

This again caused controversy among the BT Sport pundits, as Ferdinand said: ‘It’s a terrible rule. What is it supposed to do?

‘What was so wrong before? I understand that this is the rule, but I do not agree that it is a good law. It’s a bad rule.

Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals by overturning a one-goal deficit from the first leg thanks to Havertz and Raheem Sterling.

Former Manchester City winger Sterling scored a tremendous effort into the roof of the net towards the end of the first half to level them before the German’s penalty.