Sirius Protests Missed Penalty Against KFF, Digi Mart USA News (Guldfågeln Arena): Sirius pushed for an equalizer at Guldfågeln Arena, and the late chance led to a dispute over whether the home side should have been awarded a penalty.
Joakim Persson broke loose on the right wing and delivered a cross. The ball clearly struck the arm of KFF defender Victor Larsson inside the penalty area, but referee Mohammed Al-Hakim chose not to award a spot kick.
TV4 expert Jens Fjellström said the handball was clear but questioned whether it was punishable given how close the incident was. “It is definitely a handball, everyone sees that.
But is it punishable? I find it hard to say, it is from so close,” he said.
After the final whistle, Sirius winger Isak Bjerkebo said the team should have received a penalty. “We have many situations, and should have a clear penalty,” he told TV4.
“It hits the hand clearly, but the referee thinks it is close to the body. It is just something you have to accept,” he continued.
Head coach Andreas Engelmark also gave his view when he appeared in the studio. He said the rule is extremely difficult to apply.
“It is not close to the body, but it is clear to me that if it is a shot on goal it is clear, but on a cross it is difficult. I don’t think any of us can know the handball rule,” he said.
Engelmark added that he did not want to dwell on the decision. “I don’t want to get stuck there, in any case,” he concluded.
