Addo speaking after the match, queried the referee’s decision to award a penalty to Portugal, saying Ghana should have been given a free kick
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ghana coach, Otto Addo might have risked FIFA’s sanction after saying the decision of American referee, Ismail Elfath, to award a penalty to Portuguese striker, Cristiano Ronaldo was a ‘gift’.
The Black Stars lost their opening match at the ongoing World Cup against Portugal 3-2 on Thursday night, and the Ghanian tactician was not impressed with the level of officiating.
Ronaldo was adjudged to have been brought down by Southampton defender, Mohammed Salisu, in the penalty box in the second half of the encounter.
The former Manchester United forward then stepped up to score the penalty.
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Speaking to beIN Sport after the game, Addo queried the decision of the American referee to award a spot kick to Portugal.
He said, “The referee gave a penalty which wasn’t a penalty – everyone saw that. Why? Because it is Ronaldo or something?
“I think you’ve to ask the referee. I have no proof of that. We were playing the ball and then there was contact,”
Addo went on to state at his post-match press conference that he believed the penalty given by the American official was a gift.
“I don’t know whether they weren’t paying or whether the VAR wasn’t paying attention.
“If you look at the replay, we played the ball, it was actually a foul against us.
“If somebody scores a goal, congratulations. But this was really a gift.
“Up to the penalty, everything was possible. Then the game got a little bit wild,” he added.
Ghana’s next match is against Asian opponent, South Korea on Monday, November 28, while Portugal will face South American opposition, Uruguay on the same day.