West Ham United: Michael Owen blasts ‘mess’ after controversy v Freiburg
West Ham United being denied a late penalty against Freiburg has left pundit Michael Owen gobsmacked.
The Hammers were adamant they should have been awarded a spot-kick in their Europa League clash on Thursday (7 March).
The ball hit Freiburg’s Noah Weisshaupt arm in the area, and despite being told to review the incident on VAR, referee Alejandro Hernandez did not award a penalty, with the German club winning the match 1-0.
“It’s incredibly inconsistent, the handball rule is an absolute mess at the moment,” Owen said at full-time on TNT Sports. “From what we’ve seen in the recent past I think it’s a penalty. I think based on the current way we referee games it’s a penalty.”
His fellow pundit Steve Sidwell added: “I can’t believe that’s not been given, the West Ham players and fans will be absolutely furious. Close proximity to the ball, but arms above the head, it’s an unnatural position.”
West Ham players rage at penalty decision versus Freiburg
There has been plenty of controversy involving handballs in recent times, and the decision in this Europa League clash has now been added to the list.
Hammers boss David Moyes was enraged at the decision, as were the visiting players, who now have it all to do in the second leg.
The London Stadium hosts the reverse fixture next Thursday (14 March), with the home supporters undoubtedly set to be more than up for that match after what happened in Germany.
There is, however, a home meeting with Burnley in the Premier League before then, a match that the hosts ought to win in order to keep the pressure off the man in the dugout.
In other West Ham news, Dean Jones has shared a fresh London Stadium exit update regarding one Hammers star.
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