IK Sirius penalty dispute after loss to Kalmar, Digi Mart USA News (Kalmar, Sweden): Isak Bjerkebo, 23, believes IK Sirius was robbed of a penalty in its surprising defeat to bottom-placed Kalmar, according to a report from Aftonbladet’s Sportbladet.
“It’s a shame that he (the referee) misses it,” Bjerkebo said. The result gives Hammarby a golden opportunity, as Sirius is one goal away from leading the Allsvenskan with two rounds remaining.
Bjerkebo said the team had many chances and deserved a clear penalty. “It’s just really frustrating right now,” he told TV4 immediately after the final whistle.
When Bjerkebo spoke in the mixed zone, Sportbladet asked him about the situation. He acknowledged that referee Mohammed Al-Hakim may not have had a clear view in the heat of the moment, but said replays and wider camera angles show the incident was obvious and happened quickly.
The situation, in which Joakim Persson’s cross struck Victor Larsson’s hand, was also discussed in TV4’s studio. Expert Nordin Gerzic said the key question is whether the arm was in an unnatural position or made the player’s body noticeably larger, adding that judging penalties in cross play is a “small lottery.”
Coach Andreas Engelmark called the incident difficult to judge and referred to the handball rule. He said a clear penalty would have been given had it been a shot on goal, but that he was unsure about a cross.
He said the hand did not appear to be in a natural position in his view, but added that he did not believe anyone fully knows the handball rule.
Penalty decisions have become a recurring talking point for Sirius this season, with the team both benefiting from and being on the receiving end of disputed calls.
