Fans left horrified at ‘worst decision of the football season’ as Championship club beaten after controversial penalty
FOOTBALL fans were left aghast after seeing the “worst decision of the season” in the Championship last night.
Promotion chasing West Brom were up against already-relegated Rotherham at the Hawthorns, with the hosts running out 2-0 winners.
However, they were given a mighty helping hand by a shocking decision from referee Geoff Eltringham to award a penalty when the ball struck a Rotheram defender outside of the box.
Carlos Corberan’s side were already leading through a Brandon Thomas-Asante strike after 23 minutes.
But just before half-time, Thomas-Asante fired a shot towards goal from distance.
His effort was closed down by Lee Peltier who rushed out to the edge of the D to meet the shot, with the ball hitting his face while his arms were raised in the process of making the block.
West Brom players cheekily appealed for a handball, with ref Eltringham incredibly pointing to the spot – despite it not being a handball AND occurring outside the penalty area.
The Millers were left stunned by the call and remonstrated with the referee and officials, leading to assistant coach Rob Kelly being booked for his protests.
John Swift made no mistake from 12 yards to double the Baggies’ lead.
Rotherham manager Leam Richardson slammed the officials for the decision but stopped short of questioning their integrity.
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He said: “It’s three yards outside the box and it hits him in the face. I’ve not seen that before. It was a wrong decision, and a poor one in my opinion.
“I never question anyone’s integrity but I can’t explain that decision. You can’t get those decisions wrong.
“The assistant was maybe 10 yards away looking down the line of it.
“Then my assistant manager, Rob Kelly, gets booked for telling the ref: ‘The linesman can help’.
“It changed the outcome of the game. You should have a consistency of professionalism regardless.
“We’ve had a number of similar decisions and apology letters. But I have no interest in that.”
Fans were equally disgusted by the decision, with one fan saying: “Worst decision of the football season.”
A second said: “How on Earth is that a pen ahahahaha.”
A third said: “Wow. If anyone gets the chance to see the award of the West Brom penalty tonight… Rotherham lad handball’s it three yards outside the box and the ref gives a penalty. Unreal.”
Another said: “That West Brom penalty decision. Come on Specsavers help out these referees,” with Specsavers also cheekily replying: “Thanks for bringing this to our attention.”
A fifth added: “People who moan about VAR are quick to forget the terrible decisions without it.”
The win saw West Brom strengthen their position in the playoffs, now holding a nine point gap to seventh place Coventry.
Meanwhile, Rotheram racked up their 27th defeat of the league season.