2022 World Cup: Portugal’s penalty was a ‘special gift’ from the referee to Ronaldo – Otto Addo

Black Stars coach Otto Addo has bemoaned the controversial penalty decision awarded by American referee Ismail Elfath to Portugal in their World Cup group game.

He said the penalty wasn’t only dubious, but it looked like a gift the referee gave to Portuguese star Cristian Ronaldo.

Speaking to the press after Ghana’s painful loss to the Europeans, Otto said: “It was really a wrong decision (on the penalty). We played the ball. I don’t know why VAR didn’t come up. There is no explanation for me.”

Addo continued: “I don’t know whether they were not paying attention, or whether the VAR was not paying attention… I tried and asked some people from FIFA if I could speak to the referee in a calm and quiet way (for explanation). They said he was in a meeting and not possible.”