Referee Strangely Gives Penalty for Handball Outside the Box in Championship Game

• There was a controversial refereeing moment in the West Brom-Rotherham tie
• The Baggies claimed a comfortable 2-0 win in the Championship on Wednesday
• One handball incident, however, left Rotherham fans frustrated and in disbelief

The West Brom against Rotherham match on Wednesday, April 10, was subjected to one of the most ridiculous penalty calls you will see all week.

In line for promotion to the Premier League, the Baggies welcomed bottom-side Rotherham to the Hawthorns with the hope of securing all three points.

The hosts took the lead through Brandon Thomas-Asante, as Jon Swift was handed the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot towards the end of the first half.

Controversial penalty

In the build-up to the penalty call, Thomas-Asante’s shot struck the hand of Rotherham’s Lee Peltier, as referee Geoff Geoff Eltringham pointed to the spot.

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Rotherham players were immediately up in arms protesting the decision, and rightfully so since replays showed Peltier was outside the box when the ball struck his hand.

Swift scored from the penalty spot to give the Baggies a 2-0 lead, with the incident going viral on social media.

A large section of fans termed the referee’s call a ‘disgrace’ since it led to the goal that effectively confirmed Rotherham’s defeat.

What the manager said

Rotherham manager, Leam Richardson, was perplexed by the decision, and he made his feelings known after the final whistle.

“I’ve not seen that before. The assistant was maybe 10 yards away looking down the line of it. Then he goes and books my assistant manager (Rob Kelly) for telling him ‘the linesman can help’. It was a wrong decision and a poor one in my opinion. It changed the full outcome of the game,” Richardson said, per beIN Sports.

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He added, “I never question anyone’s integrity, but I can’t explain that decision.

“We’ve had a number of similar decisions and apology letters, but I have no interest in that. You can’t get those decisions wrong.”

Meanwhile, West Brom boss, Carlos Corberan, was adamant he didn’t see the incident back but admitted the referee may have made the wrong decision.

The win leaves West Brom in fifth place, nine points ahead of the chasing pack and firmly in contention for a playoff spot, according to ESPN.

Why Arsenal were denied late penalty

Sports Brief also reported on why Arsenal were denied a late penalty against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

During the closing moments of the match, Bukayo Saka received a through ball and advanced into a promising position within Bayern's penalty box.

The reason the North London club were not awarded a penalty was because it did not constitute a clear and obvious error by the German goalkeeper.