Maccabi Tel Aviv's Controversial Penalty Sparks Criticism in Switzerland
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv was awarded a disputed penalty against Lugano in their UEFA Conference League playoff match on August 27, 2026, leading to criticism from Swiss media who deemed the contact too light for a penalty. Despite the controversy, Maccabi scored from the spot but faced further denied penalty claims later in the game. The Swiss press defended Lugano's players and questioned the referee's decisions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv scored a penalty in the 69th minute against Lugano in their UEFA Conference League playoff match.
- The penalty was awarded after Elad Madmon was fouled by Lugano substitute Damien Kelvin, who stepped on his foot.
- Swiss media criticized the penalty call as based on light contact and questioned the referee's judgment.
- A later handball by Kelvin led to Maccabi's penalty appeals, which Swiss media also rejected.
- The referee issued a yellow card to Renato Stefan for protesting the penalty decision.
- Maccabi lost the first leg 2-1 and was trying to overturn the score in the second match.
On August 27, 2026, during the second leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Swiss club Lugano, Maccabi took the lead in the 69th minute with a penalty scored by Dor Peretz. The penalty was awarded after Elad Madmon, who had recently come on as a substitute, was fouled inside the box by Lugano substitute Damien Kelvin. The foul involved Kelvin stepping on Madmon's foot, but Swiss media criticized the referee's decision, describing the contact as "light" and insufficient for a penalty. The local outlet Blick expressed frustration that the referee not only awarded the penalty but also issued a yellow card to Renato Stefan for protesting the call.
Later in the match, Lugano's Kelvin appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area around the 75th minute, prompting Maccabi players to demand another penalty. However, the Swiss media defended Kelvin, noting the ball struck his hand from very close range and implying the protest was unwarranted. Maccabi Tel Aviv eventually lost the first leg 2-1 and was seeking to overturn the deficit in this second match.
The incident highlights the tension and scrutiny surrounding refereeing decisions in European competition, especially when Israeli teams face foreign clubs. The Swiss media's reaction underscores the controversy over the penalty that gave Maccabi the temporary lead in the match.
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