There continues to be a lot of talk about the controversial penalty awarded to Luton Town against Wolves on Saturday.
Wanderers drew 1-1 with the Hatters at Kenilworth Road.
But there is still a feeling of bitterness for many Wolves fans.
While Wolves did not play well at all in the game, they stood to potentially take all three points after a stunning goal from Pedro Neto.
But minutes after that, referee Josh Smith awarded a penalty to Luton, after a ‘handball’ by Joao Gomes.
But the ball in from Issa Kabore struck Gomes’ leg, before deflecting up onto the outstretched arm of Gomes.
Some had suggested that Smith had perhaps not seen the initial deflection off the leg of Gomes before the ball hit his arm.
But this apparently was not the case.
Sources have told The Athletic that Smith told the Wolves players he did see the ricochet, ‘but still awarded the penalty because Gomes’ arm was in an unnatural position’.
Those defending the decision have suggested that the change of trajectory cause by the deflection was ultimately irrelevant. Because Gomes did not ‘play’ the ball with his leg, it ‘deflected’ the cross.
This comes after Mario Lemina said that Smith had been adamant it was a ‘clear penalty’.
Gomes should not have been punished for his block
Gomes made a fantastic block against Kabore, but has ended up being punished for it.
The blocking action meant that his arm had to be outstretched. It was a natural movement.
The ball only ended up hitting it because it cannoned up off his leg.
It is totally ridiculous that penalty should be given for something like this.
You can see from the huge outcry that it’s wrong.
