Former Players Slam Referee for Controversial Penalty in League Match
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Former Israeli football players Tal Ben Haim and Itay Shechter strongly criticized referee Dekel Tsinu for awarding a controversial stoppage-time penalty. The penalty led to a 1-1 draw between Beitar Jerusalem and Kiryat Shmona in the Israeli Premier League. Both players expressed shock and anger at the decision, with Shechter calling it the worst call he'd seen in his 30-year career.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Former players Tal Ben Haim and Itay Shechter criticized referee Dekel Tsinu's penalty call.
- The controversial penalty resulted in a 1-1 draw between Beitar Jerusalem and Kiryat Shmona.
- Shechter stated he had never seen such a call in his 30-year football career.
- Ben Haim accused the referee of ruining the game with his decision.
Former Israeli football players Tal Ben Haim and Itay Shechter fiercely criticized referee Dekel Tsinu following a controversial penalty call during a league match on Saturday. The incident occurred in the Israeli Premier League game between Beitar Jerusalem and Kiryat Shmona, which ended in a dramatic 1-1 draw deep into stoppage time. The decisive penalty was awarded to Kiryat Shmona.
Speaking on the sports program "Sha'ar HaShabbat," Ben Haim sarcastically described the penalty decision as "very brave," stating there was "nothing" to warrant the call. Shechter, who has 30 years of experience in football, including 20 professionally, expressed disbelief, saying he had never witnessed such a call and likely never would. Ben Haim urged him to remove the "likely" from his statement.
Shechter further questioned the referee's actions, noting he waited an additional 10 seconds before whistling the penalty, and did not initially call it. He emphasized the dedication of players and fans, stating, "People come, a full stadium, they give their lives..." Ben Haim concluded by directly accusing the referee of ruining the game with his own hands.
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