Joe Hart Frustrated by Referee’s Decision to Award Real Madrid 2 Penalties in Champions League Clash

Joe Hart Frustrated by Referee’s Decision to Award Real Madrid 2 Penalties in Champions League Clash

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
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  • Real Madrid were given two penalties in the first 21 minutes as they beat Celtic 5-1 in the Champions League
  • Moritz Jenz and Matt O’Riley were penalised by the referee after they were adjudged to have handled the ball in the box
  • Joe Hart doesn't understand how his Celtic teammates could have avoided touching the ball without cutting off their hands

Real Madrid’s 5-1 demolition of Celtic in Spain is still making headlines, but Joe Hart is not happy with some of the decisions given.

The Celtic keeper spoke after the game and voice his frustration at the two ‘soft’ penalties that the Scottish side conceded.

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Joe Hart has questioned how Real Madrid were given two soft penalties in their UEFA Champions League game against Celtic. David S. Bustamante/ Clive Brunskill
Source: Getty Images

Celtic found themselves 2-0 down in the first 21 minutes as Madrid were handed two penalties. Luka Modric and Rodrygo both stepped up and converted the spot kicks to give the defending champions a commanding lead.

They eventually out 5-1 winners thanks to further goals from Marco Asensio, Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde, BBC reported.

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While commenting on the penalties, Hart said he wasn’t sure what the Celtic players could have done to avoid handling the ball, Eurosport reported. Both Moritz Jenz and Matt O’Riley were penalised for ‘handling the ball in the box.’

“I don’t think either of them intentionally used their hand. That goes without saying,” Hart said.
“It happened so quick. Matt said his hands were inside his body, and it hit him. What do they want him to do, chop his arms off?” Hart questioned.

He added that while he didn’t want to moan about penalties, it did set the tone.

Celtic were also awarded a penalty in the game, but it was saved by Thibaut Courtois. Their only goal of the game came thanks to a beautiful freekick by Jota in the second half.

Rodrygo Goes equals Ronaldo de Lima's record as Real Madrid top Champions League Group F

Red-hot Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes has matched the legendary Ronaldo de Lima for a Real Madrid record as the youngster scored on Wednesday night.

The Brazil prodigy netted the second of Real Madrid's five goals at the Santiago Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti's side raced out to a 5-1 win over Celtic.

By scoring in the Champions League, the 21-year-old equalled a club record set by his compatriot Ronaldo in Europe's premier club competition, Sports Brief reported.

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Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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