Sheffield After the highly-controversial penalty call in their 1-1 draw against Bristol City last weekend, Wednesday’s relegation rivals Huddersfield Town were called by the PGMOL, the referee body. However, despite their admittance that the call was “wrong,” they did not get an apology.
Last weekend, the Terriers led 1-0 at Bristol City and appeared to be on their way out of the bottom three, tied with the Owls on points but superior on goal differential. But referee Rebecca Welch called a handball on Oliver Turton in the ninth minute of added time.
Head coach Andre Breitenreiter revealed that several of his players were crying in the changing room after the final whistle, expressing how infuriated Huddersfield was by the decision. Before Huddersfield’s matchup with Swansea City at home, Breitenreiter disclosed that the PGMOL had been in touch with the West Yorkshire team on the incident.
“No apology, but that the decision was wrong. It was also not the first time that we were robbed of two more points like in other games before. But the whole team, club and the supporters draw motivation from injustice and so do I.
“We want to show everyone who doesn’t want to see us in the Championship that my team has found its feet and we have to speak about positive things, for sure. We have played really well in the last few games. Maybe it was not reflected in points and we still have to get the quality on the pitch to be able to win close games for ninety minutes.
“But we have been playing well, which was also evident in the ‘win’ at Bristol. We have to take motivation and positive things from the decisions we cannot change. But it has cost us many points.”
Speaking earlier this week, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher outlined his belief that the penalty should not have been awarded. It could prove a costly decision in the relegation battle but one that might stand to benefit Sheffield Wednesday.
“I just don’t think it’s handball, I think it’s just a misjudgement,” stated Gallagher. Although the referee has the finest perspective, I don’t think she makes the best choice. He backs off; if it hits him, it hits him, but it’s low and strikes his arms into his body; it’s not a penalty for me.
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