Former FIFA referee Victor Hlungwani has delivered his verdict on the penalty decision that earned Kaizer Chiefs a penalty kick during Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup clash with Al Masry at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Amakhosi won the match 2-1 with their opening goal coming from the penalty spot. Glody Lilepo’s shot struck the hand of Al Masry captain Ahmed Mansour inside the box, and Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea pointed to the spot.
Flavio da Silva made no mistake in beating the visitors’ Mahmoud Hamdy and thrusting Amakhosi ahead. However, it was a contentious decision by Laryea, which prompted heated protests from Al Masry players, prompting a stoppage of at least five minutes.
Even after the match, the Egyptian side’s coach, Nabil Kouki, disputed the referee’s call, which was a major contributor to the afternoon’s result. Chiefs’ victory helped them rise to the top of the table where they are now two points clear of second-place Zamalek SC.
HLUNGWANE SPEAKS: WAS CHIEFS’ PENALTY AGAINST AL MASRY THE RIGHT CALL?
“We saw what we call a handball in the 32nd minute where Al Masry complained that this was not a handball,” said Hlungwani on Metro FM.
“Let’s go to law number 12. We are talking about handling the ball. The law says, ‘One, deliberately touches the ball with their hand or arm, for example, moving their hand or arm towards the ball.
“‘Two, touches the ball with their hand or arm when he has made their body unnaturally bigger.’ That means extending your arm away from the body. Now, when you look at those hands, they were on the body.
“There is no offence committed. You only commit an offence when you outstretch your hands away from the body. When the hands are on the body, even if you move, you don’t expect a player to stand still.
“The player will move, this is football. So, when he moves, he has not committed any offence. He can only commit an offence when his hands are outstretched.
“When hands are on the body, no offence has been committed. People are saying he moved, but this is football and you will move as long as your hands are on your body, no offence has been committed.
“So here, handball was given and incorrect decision by the referee.”
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