UEFA respond over controversial Galatasaray call with Liverpool ‘disappointed’

Liverpool were denied a penalty in the closing stages of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray, with UEFA later explaining why Ibrahima Konate was not awarded a spot-kick in the game’s dying moments

UEFA have explained why Ibrahima Konate was not awarded a penalty during Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Galatasaray. The Reds were given a glimmer of hope when the Frenchman was brought down in the box late in the game on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool were striving for an equaliser after conceding a penalty themselves, which Victor Osimhen successfully converted. A corner was delivered and Konate attempted a volley towards goal, but he was intercepted by Wilfried Singo.

Referee Clement Turpin initially pointed to the spot but was advised to review the incident on the monitor and promptly reversed his decision. UEFA later clarified why this decision was made.

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In a post on the UEFA website, they explained: “Decision overturned: no penalty. Penalty cancelled – no foul. Galatasaray’s player, No90 (Singo), played the ball in a fair manner before the contact between players.”

There was a controversial penalty awarded in Galatasaray’s favour when Dominik Szoboszlai was found to have fouled Baris Yilmaz in his own box. While the midfielder didn’t clash feet with the 25-year-old, he was deemed to have caught him with a trailing arm.

As the incident was not reviewed by VAR and the referee’s decision stood firm, there was no statement on the matter from VAR. Following the defeat, Reds manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment.

He said: “Again, disappointed. For me, this was a different performance on and off the ball [than Crystal Palace]. First half we played quite well and had a big chance to go 1-0 up. It is difficult to compare this situation to before.

“We are sometimes a bit out-smarted in situations like this and I cannot blame Dominik Szoboszlai for the situation. They make a 20 per cent penalty a 100 per cent penalty, which is very smart from them.

“We are not so far [off the level shown last season]. This is sometimes what the schedule can bring – Galatasaray is not a simple game. We now play Chelsea away, a difficult game.

“The margins are small and they were last season. For the second time in a row we are on the wrong side. “I saw a lot of things in the first half, but the second half was much less.

“I don’t think in the second half there was a lot of playing time. Their striker was on the floor four or five times. It was difficult to get momentum in the game.”

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