Ghana coach Otto Addo has complained bitterly about the officiating in his team’s 3-2 World Cup defeat by Portugal on Thursday, claiming Cristiano Ronaldo’s history-making goal was a gift from the referee.
Ronaldo scored a penalty spot goal in the 65th minute to give Portugal the lead and became the first player to score in five World Cups as they went on to win their Group H opener.
However, Otto Addo on post Match conference felt American referee Ismail Elfath made the wrong judgment, claimed that defender Mohammed Salisu did not foul Ronaldo for the penalty.
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According to Otto Addo who complained bitterly on Ronaldo’s dubious penalty awarded by the referee said that, the officials did not use VAR to ensure Salisu’s thigh made little touch with Ronaldo’s leg before the Portugal captain fell falling to the ground.
“I think it was a really wrong decision, we were playing the ball.. I don’t know why VAR did not come up, there was no explanation for it,” said Addo about a soft penalty award after Ronaldo went down following minimal shoulder-to-shoulder contact with Mohammed Salisu.
“It was a wrong decision. It was actually a foul against us,” — Addo complained.
Asked about Ronaldo’s milestone goal, Otto Addo said: “If somebody scores a goal, congratulations. But this was a gift, really a gift.”
“I wanted to do it in a calm way but I was told he was in a meeting. He was not in our favour. We got a few yellow cards which were deserved but there was also holding of jerseys and stopping counter attacks that were also yellow cards but not given to them.”
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He also felt Ghana lacked some good fortune during their encounter with Portugal — “With a little bit of luck we could have reached one point.”— He said
Ghana’s goals were the first by an African team at the World Cup in Qatar, and they came in a vastly improved second half performance, which Addo said gave them some confidence for their next match against South Korea on Monday.
“We have to win now and we are under pressure but then so are they,” he concluded.
In related news, Asamoah Gyan has also spoken out about the penalty handed to Ronaldo by the USA referee during Ghana’s match against Portugal.
The former Black Stars captain, who was on Punditry duties for Super Sports, said that the referee got it wrong by awarding Ronaldo the penalty, claiming it was too soft.
The penalty for me… I don’t agree, in my opinion because it was just a soft touch. Although Ronaldo was a bit earlier, it wasn’t a touch that could be a penalty. The referee should have at least checked the video assistant referee and made his decision. For me, I think it was too soft.” — Asamoah Gyan said
SOURCE: www.hellovybes.com
