Referee apologizes to Ronaldo and Portugal for disallowed goal

Referee Danny Makkelie has apologized to both Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal for ruling out Ronaldo’s goal against Serbia.

The Selecao had to settle for a 2-all draw against their opponents in the 2022 World Cup qualifier match after their captain’s last gap strike was disallowed incorrectly by the match officials.

The ball was clearly over the line by a margin according to the replay before Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic cleared it away. However, Dutch referee Makkelie waved play on after consulting with the linesman over the goal incident.

The 38-year-old issued an apology to both Juventus forward Ronaldo and the Portugal national football team.

Citing from Goal.com, the referee development coordinator for the Royal Dutch Football Association said, “As per FIFA’s policies, all I can say is that I apologised to the national coach, Fernando Santos, and to the Portuguese team for what happened.

“As a referee team, we always work hard to make good decisions. When we are in the news in this manner, it doesn’t make us happy at all.”

Former Real Madrid star Ronaldo was furious at the decision that denied his country a win over Serbia.

There were few seconds remaining before the match concluded but Portugal skipper was having none of it. The 36-year-old threw the captain armband to the ground before making his way to the tunnel.

Referee apologizes to Ronaldo and Portugal for disallowed goal. PHOTO: iNews

He went on to explain his reaction on social media after the match, “I always give and will give everything for my country, that will never change.

But there are difficult times to deal with, especially when we feel that an entire nation is being harmed.”

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos was also furious and during a press conference stated “It is not permissible that, in a competition like this, there is no VAR or goal-line technology.

The ball was half a metre inside the goal, there was no obstacle between the goalkeeper and the goal line. It was very clear.

“The referees make mistakes, they are human, but this is what VAR exists for.”

After the reaction by Ronaldo, there were questions on whether the former Manchester United winger would remain Portugal captain which Selecao coach Santos said he will still captain the team.

There have been many incidences in world football where teams have paid dearly for disallowed goals. It has shed light not only on goal-line technology and Virtual Assistant Referee (VAR) but the ultimate decision made by match officials.

There has been a lack of consistency in machine learning and the assistance of technology to validate or clarify decisions made by the officials.