- West Ham were denied a late penalty in the Europa League match with Freiburg
- The Hammers called for handball, but the referee did not point to the spot
- Sheffield United ‘were s***e before a ball was kicked’ – Listen to the It all starts podcast
West Ham were controversially denied a late penalty as they were defeated in their Europa League match with Freiburg.
The Hammers were left frustrated against their Bundesliga opposition on Thursday, with Jarrod Bowen unable to convert multiple chances to give them the advantage.
To make matters worse for the visitors’ substitute Michael Gregoritsch, Freiburg gave Freiburg the lead with just ten minutes remaining in the first leg of the eighth round.
David Moyes’ team hunted for an equalizer in the closing stages and seemed to have secured a breakthrough in injury time when the ball appeared to hit Noah Weisshaupt’s hand in Freiburg’s penalty area.
A lengthy VAR check followed which showed contact had been made between the ball and Weissbhaupt’s hand, although he appeared to have been pushed by Tomas Soucek.
West Ham were not given an injury time penalty as they were defeated by Freiburg in the Europa League
The official chose not to point to the spot, despite protests and a lengthy VAR review for handball
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Referee Alejandro Hernandez opted not to award a penalty, with the decision proving highly controversial among fans on social media.
One wrote: ‘I don’t understand how that’s not handball. We’ve all watched it fifty times. It took five minutes for everyone to watch it over and over again.”
Another agreed: ‘They gave PSG a penalty against Newcastle for exactly the same thing. They just change the rules when they want to.”
However, other fans disagreed and insisted that the referee made the right call in the end.
One wrote: ‘I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t think this is a punishment and it really confuses me how many people think so…’
The decision not to award a penalty proved highly controversial among fans on social media
Another user added: ‘The ball was deflected from the player’s body towards his arm. No matter where his arms are, it’s not a punishment. Rules are clear’
David Moyes’ side will now have to make up a one-goal deficit in the return leg if they want to progress to the last eight of the competition.
The second leg at the London Stadium will be held on Thursday at 5.45pm.