Maccabi Tel Aviv's Controversial Penalty Sparks Criticism in Switzerland

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.