20 November 2023 , 20:39
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Gary Lineker believes the spot kick given against Rico Lewis on Monday was the "most ridiculous penalty decision" he's ever seen.
England's final Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia descended into controversy after a penalty was given against Rico Lewis during the first half by referee Filip Glova. The Manchester City youngster was judged to have caught Bojan Miovski with his hand.
The incident was reviewed by the VAR official before a penalty was confirmed. The decision stunned England fans and pundits, including Lineker. He wrote on X: "It’s not important in the slightest, but that’s the most ridiculous penalty decision."
The result of Monday's game isn't important to England, as they have already qualified for Euro 2024. Jordan Pickford saved Enis Bardhi's penalty but the ball rebounded straight to the North Macedonia star to score a tap in and give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
"This is bonkers, it is unbelievable," former England goalkeeper Rob Green told BBC Radio 5 Live immediately after the penalty was given. "Lewis has gone up to head the ball, and his arm has flicked out as he jumped, naturally his arms will go up into the air.
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"He has only slightly flicked the player in the eye. A rubbish decision, it is re-refereeing. Unfortunate, nothing more. It has tarnished an otherwise great first-half performance from Rico Lewis."
Jamie Carragher was also staggered by the referee's decision to point to the spot. The Liverpool icon wrote on X: "Bizarre these VAR penalties that get given in Europe. What's more bizarre is that they didn't give the one against (Harry) Maguire."
Carragher was referring to the incident involving Maguire moments before Lewis was penalised. The Manchester United defender gave the ball away before clattering into Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas in the box, but referee Glova refused to give a penalty.
Rico Lewis was penalised for this challenge (Channel 4)What did you make of the penalty decision? Let us know in the comments below!
"Maguire has got away with two mistakes there," added Green. "Firstly he gives the ball away and then when he tries to recover he is completely out of control, he just loses his footing and falls into Elmas. It almost looked like he stumbled on the pitch."
The decision against Lewis left many people staggered. Chelsea legend John Terry wrote on X: "Oh my word... How is that a penalty?"
Some fans on social media described it as "the worst penalty decision ever made", while one supporter asked on X: "What is even the point of VAR when referees make decisions like that?"
Yet a lot of England fans didn't complain about the controversial decision due to Maguire avoiding punishment. "Makes up for the Maguire challenge," wrote one supporter on X, while another added: "Maguire maybe lucky not to give one away earlier."