HIBAPRESS – Sports
An Algerian journalist, speaking on an Algerian satellite channel, refuted claims circulating in the local media regarding the penalty that sparked widespread controversy during the Algeria-Nigeria match, hosted by the Grand Marrakech Stadium and ending with a 2-0 victory for the Nigerian team, confirming that the controversy is not based on sound legal grounds.
The journalist explained that the penalty demanded by the Algerian team was incorrect from a refereeing perspective, stressing that the Senegalese referee's decision was sound and in line with the new amendments to the football law, specifically Article 12 concerning touching the ball with the hand inside the penalty area. The Algerian journalist confirmed that the law explicitly states that if the ball touches a player's body first before touching his hand, a penalty is not counted, which applies to the controversial case in the match. The journalist stressed that the Algerian team did not lose because of the refereeing, but as a result of their performance on the field, considering that the Nigerian team was more organized and effective, and deserved the victory.
