Wales fans are expressing strong opinions regarding a controversial penalty incident involving Leeds United’s Ethan Ampadu during the World Cup qualifier against Belgium. After suffering a 3-0 defeat against England, the Welsh team aimed to bounce back in this critical match. The game started positively for Wales when Joe Rodon scored early with a powerful header.
Ethan Ampadu’s Penalty Controversy
However, the momentum shifted when Ampadu was penalized for a handball in the first half. The incident occurred when the ball struck his arm at close range, prompting the referee to award Belgium a penalty. Kevin de Bruyne, a former player for Manchester City, successfully converted the penalty, equalizing the score and igniting outrage among Welsh supporters.
Fan Reactions
- Numerous fans took to social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), to express their dissent over the decision.
- One fan succinctly stated, “That was a shocking decision to award a penalty for Belgium! What’s Ampadu to do?!?”
- Another user pointed out the absurdity of the ruling, claiming that Ampadu’s arm position was inevitable due to the distance of the ball.
- Concerns were raised about the VAR process, with a fan stating, “Never a penalty… A handball should be a deliberate attempt to alter the ball’s path.”
As discussions unfolded, numerous observers highlighted the idea that goalscorers might intentionally target a defender’s arm if such penalties are commonplace.
Danny Gabbidon’s Criticism
The criticism of the penalty extended beyond fans to former Premier League and Wales defender Danny Gabbidon. In an interview with BBC Sport, Gabbidon expressed his disagreement with the referee’s call, arguing that Belgium did not earn their equalizer.
He noted, “Ampadu can’t do anything about that… Wales started the game so well, you can’t say Belgium deserved that.” Gabbidon also emphasized that the criteria for handball decisions in international play differ significantly from those in club football.
The controversy surrounding Ethan Ampadu’s penalty decision has sparked a broader debate on the standards employed in officiating and the shortcomings of VAR, leaving many fans frustrated.
