“It’s a game-changer” – Super Eagles star slams referee over penalty snub in Rangers’ Europa League loss

Cyriel Dessers has expressed his frustration after Rangers’ Europa League hopes were dashed by Athletic Bilbao, calling out the officials for ignoring what he believes was a clear penalty decision, Footynaija.com reports.

The incident occurred in the 16th minute when the Nigerian striker was hauled down by Bilbao defender Dani Vivian inside the box, with his shirt visibly torn.

Despite furious protests from the Scottish side, referee Irfan Peljto waved play on, and VAR official Paul van Boekel declined to intervene.

How was this not a penalty , he had the defender grab his shirt to pull him back causing this tear and putting Dessers on the ground….. UEFA absolutely desperate to keep Bilbao in the tournament as the final is in their stadium….. corruption at its worst pic.twitter.com/cFNsvoGSAW

— Davie Tait (@DavieTait) April 17, 2025

Speaking after the match via the Scotsman, Dessers said: “The ball gets deflected into the box, I wanted to make a run to it and I thought I could get to it, [but] my shirt got pulled. Even if there’s doubt, you can look at the shirt. I think it’s a game-changer. But OK, that’s football. We were on the wrong side of it. It hurts.”

To compound Rangers’ misery, Bilbao were awarded a penalty just before half-time, converted by Oihan Sancet. Nico Williams added a second with a close-range header, sealing a 2-0 win and sending the Spanish club through to the semi-finals.

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Keith Jackson | Daniel Caw ️

‘There’s simply no debate – it’s a penalty!’

The panel discuss Cyriel Dessers’ penalty appeal during Rangers’ 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao ️

FULL SHOW https://t.co/l3MIFtipVh pic.twitter.com/u4vGoR9MBE

— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) April 17, 2025

Dessers also revealed that Vivian later admitted to the foul: “I spoke to the defender [Vivian] after, he admitted it was a penalty.”

The forward added: “I got the yellow card because I came back onto the pitch. I have no real explanation for that. After that, he [the referee] was kind to me, he showed some compassion as well.”

Rangers captain James Tavernier echoed his teammate’s frustration: “He [the referee] said there was little in it,” he said. “But you saw his top, and it was ripped. It’s one of those, it goes for you or it goes against you. I’ve got to give the boys credit for the energy they put into the game.”