Super Eagles and Celtic striker Kelechi Promise Iheanacho has had a fine start to life in Scotland, scoring three goals and providing one assist in six games across all competitions, Soccernet.ng reports.
The ex-Manchester City forward could’ve registered one more goal in Celtic’s UEFA Europa League loss to Braga, but his goal was wrongly disallowed for a handball.
The decision to reverse the goal sparked several reactions, most of which were outrage from fans who felt the Hoops were denied a clear chance to go level.
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After the game, Iheanacho was livid, stating his side were robbed of the opportunity to bring themselves back into the match as they were just a goal down at the time.
His manager, Brendan Rodgers, also mentioned UEFA would have questions to answer for allowing their referees to make such detestable decisions. A week on, nothing concrete has surfaced.
Dermot Gallagher bemused by Iheanacho’s disallowed goal
Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher revealed why the goal stood, although he didn’t particularly agree with the decision.
“I was actually intrigued by this decision. I thought it hit him in the face as well,” the former FIFA-listed official said in quotes revealed by 67hailhail.
“I made a point of checking the VAR protocol and why it wasn’t overruled. I thought an offence has to be committed for it to be given.
“I was told that, ‘the on-field decision was handball’, which it was; the assistant gave handball to the referee.
“The referee then disallowed the goal. It was checked by VAR. They tell me that there is no evidence to say he didn’t handle it.
“But that’s the wrong way around, isn’t it?! No, because the referee has made a decision, and you have to prove the referee wrong.
“There is no evidence to prove him wrong, hence why it stood,” the Irishman concluded.
In other news, it appears the decision was just water off the duck’s back for Iheanacho, who found the back of the net in the following game for Celtic, scoring in their 3-2 win over Motherwell.