Sport nationCeltic’s Penalty Woes: Bayern Munich’s Lucky Escape Sparks Controversy
The Champions League showdown between Celtic and Bayern Munich was always going to be a highly charged and intense affair, but the match was marred by controversy surrounding a disputed penalty decision. The incident, which involved Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Celtic’s Arne Engels, has sparked heated debate among fans, pundits, and former referees.
At the heart of the controversy is the decision by referee Jesus Gil Manzano to deny Celtic a penalty, despite Upamecano appearing to stand on Engels’ foot. The incident was reviewed by the VAR team, but Manzano stuck by his original call, sparking widespread outrage among Celtic fans.
Bayern Munich legend Michael Ballack was among those who felt that Celtic were robbed of a penalty, describing the decision as “lucky” for his former club. “He clearly stepped on his ankle, so that’s actually a foul. If that was in midfield it would certainly be a free kick,” Ballack said.
“There are borderline decisions where you ask if it was a clear defensive action or was he preventing the opponent from getting to the ball? And that was clearly the case here for me, because he wanted to get to the ball and with this foul the defender clearly prevented him from reaching the ball.
“It doesn’t matter whether it was intentional or not. It’s a foul and only the assessment of the kick on his ankle is what should count. The referee decided that Upamecano played the ball beforehand. But for me, it’s still a foul. Bayern were certainly a bit lucky in the situation. But you need that sometimes.”
Former SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy also disputed the decision, stating that Upamecano’s actions did not constitute a “football motion” as defined by IFAB rules. “In our opinion, that’s a penalty. It doesn’t matter that the defender got the ball first, a foul is a foul. Stomping full on someone’s foot is not a ‘football motion’. We have seen similar this season being given; if it happens in midfield it is certainly a foul,” Roache and Conroy said.
The controversy surrounding the penalty decision has sparked a heated debate about the role of VAR in football. While some argue that the technology is essential for ensuring accuracy and fairness, others feel that it is often misused and can lead to confusion and controversy.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Celtic’s penalty woes have sparked a firestorm of controversy that shows no signs of dying down anytime soon. With the second leg of the Champions League tie against Bayern Munich looming, Celtic fans will be hoping that their team can put the controversy behind them and focus on securing a vital win.
In the meantime, the incident has sparked a wider conversation about the state of refereeing in football. With the use of VAR becoming increasingly prevalent, there is a growing need for clarity and consistency in the application of the rules.
As the football world continues to grapple with the complexities of VAR, one thing is certain: the controversy surrounding Celtic’s penalty woes will not be forgotten anytime soon. The incident has sparked a heated debate that will continue to rage on for weeks to come, and has highlighted the need for greater clarity and consistency in the application of the rules.
Sport nation
