Rio Ferdinand slammed for doubling down on ‘stonewall’ penalty remark

Jacque Talbot
Jacque Talbot
  • Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
  • 4 min read
Rio Ferdinand, 2022/23
© ProShots

Rio Ferdinand has doubled down on his assertion that Inter should have been awarded a penalty against AC Milan with the two clubs facing off in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Article continues under the video

Inter found the back of the net thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. It could have been a lot worse after Lautaro Martinez went down inside the box.

To everyone else, it looked like it was very soft. The referee initially awarded the spot-kick but was informed to check his pitchside monitor to review the decision.

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After looking again at pitchside, the official chalked off the penalty. But the likes of Steve McManaman and Ferdinand for BT Sport could not believe that the referee had opted to reverse his call, being in the minority that it was, in fact, a penalty.

McManaman said he was 'amazed' by the decision, while Ferdinand called it ‘stonewall’.

Watching it live you could argue that it was reactionary - but then Manchester United legend Ferdinand tweeted to affirm that it should have been a penalty awarded to Inter, much to the despair of everyone else watching the contest at the San Siro.

Ferdinand in the minority

Read more about: Serie A Inter Milan Lautaro Martinez

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