In a recent analysis of the contentious officiating during the quarterfinal match of the Africa Cup of Nations between Algeria and Nigeria, renowned Spanish referee expert Iturralde González shared his insights regarding a disputed penalty situation. The Algerian team has vocally demanded a penalty kick following an incident that occurred in the 13th minute, when a cross from Chaybi struck the arm of Nigerian defender Simon Ajayi. Despite the protests from the Algerian players, the referee opted to continue the match, and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene.
In an exclusive conversation with Koora, González provided his professional opinion on the controversial moment, stating, “In my view, it is a clear penalty. His hand occupies space, making his body appear larger. Additionally, it is important to note that his arm was not stationary; there was a slight movement of the arm towards the direction of the ball.”
Analysis of VAR’s Role
González further emphasized that the VAR should have played a role in this situation, suggesting that the technology could have provided crucial assistance to the on-field referee. As the match continues, Nigeria is currently leading with a score of 2-0, heightening the stakes for Algeria as they seek to recover from the contentious decision.
