Fans and pundits alike couldn’t believe what they’d seen after Manchester City were denied a last-minute penalty against RB Leipzig despite an apparent handball in the box
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs pushed the ball away but escaped punishment
Manchester City fans were left raging after RB Leipzig star Benjamin Henrichs got away with “playing volleyball” in his own box in stoppage time of their 1-1 draw.
The Premier League side were pushing for a winner at the death after Riyad Mahrez’s first-half opener had been cancelled out by Josko Gvardiol’s second-half header in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.
A cross into the box was headed down by Rodri and towards substitute Henrichs, who pushed his arms out from his chest and appeared to hit the ball. Despite it seemingly touching one, if not both of his hands, Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk didn’t give a penalty.
City fans couldn’t believe what they’d seen with one tweeting: “We got robbed of a pen at the end. How is this possible?” One replied: “Agree, he’s literally playing volleyball.”
Another echoed: “He’s literally playing volleyball what is this?!?!” And one repeated: “Lmao that Leipzig player legit thought it’s volleyball.”
Man City’s players were apoplectic – as too were their fans at home
One asked: “Henrichs playing volleyball.. Ref blew the whistle moments after. VAR?” Another questioned: “Bro punched the ball and apparently it’s not handball, did VAR have a day off again?”
“How this hasn’t been given is beyond me,” lamented one frustrated supporter, while one fumed: “I just can’t get my head around how a group of refs can’t decide that’s a pen. Should be sacked on the spot.”
BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Owen Hargreaves were all in agreement that it should’ve been a penalty, as was former referee Peter Walton who confirmed there wasn’t even a VAR check on the incident.
The decision, or rather lack thereof, means City will need to win when they welcome Leipzig to the Etihad for the return leg in three weeks’ time.
Source: dailystar.co.uk
