Dutch referee Danny McKelley offered an apology to Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal after stopping the Serbia striker’s goal.
Portugal were to be tied 2–2 in their 2022 World Cup qualifying clash after the match officials denied Ronaldo the final-gasp winner.
Replay showed that Juventus striker’s shot crossed the line before Aleksandar Mitrovic was able to clear the ball, but Makkili waved the game after advice with his lineman, who he now considered a wrong decision .
What has been said
“According to FIFA’s policies, all I can say is that I apologized to the national coach, Fernando Santos and the Portuguese team for what happened,” McClelli told the Portuguese publication Said one. “As a referee team, we always work hard to make good decisions. When we are in the news in this manner, it does not please us at all.”
Ronaldo’s anger
Ronaldo was furious after seeing his goal, producing a finish after latching onto an entirely flighty Nuno Mendes pass.
There were still a few seconds left to play after the pause time event, but the Portugal captain refused to continue after taking vengeance with the linesman.
Ronaldo threw his armband to the ground before falling down the tunnel, and Share your reaction in a social media post after the game.
“I always give and give everything for my country, that will never change,” he said instagram. “But there are difficult times to deal with it, especially when we feel that the whole country is at a disadvantage.”
What did the saints say?
Santos also vented his anger with the post-match Portugal boss insists that VAR should be used internationally To avoid repeating Saturday’s controversy.
“It is not acceptable that, in this type of competition, there is no VAR or goal-line technique,” Santos said. “The ball was half a meter inside the goal, there was no barrier between the goalkeeper and the goal line. It was very clear.
“Referees make mistakes, they are human, but this is what VAR exists for.”
What will happen next?
Ronaldo and co will have to hurry themselves down in their next Group A match to overtake Luxembourg on Tuesday night. As it stands, Portugal are in second place on goal difference behind Serbia, who are next to face Azerbaijan.
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