Friday morning’s Europa Conference League clash between Marseille and Qarabag delivered a stunning act of sportsmanship, as a player scored a goal with his hand and sparked eight minutes of chaos on the pitch – before asking the referee to overturn his goal.
French heavyweights Olympique Marseille were leading 1-0 (and 4-1 on aggregate) half an hour into the second leg of their round of 16 fixture when Senegalese striker Ibrahima Wadji punched a ball into the goal for the Azerbaijani side.
Polish referee Bartosz Frankowski missed the handball, which came as Wadji competed with Marseille’s goalkeeper for a cross.
And the third-tier European continental tournament – unlike the Champions League and Europa League – does not employ a video assistant referee (VAR) until the final of the competition.
Marseille players were incensed, with on-loan Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi reportedly chasing his opponent around the pitch while repeatedly shouting: “You’re a cheat.”
The referee handed out a raft of yellow cards to the furious Marseille players for their complaints and tried to restore order.
But Wadji went to speak with Qarabag coach Gurban Gurbanov and conceded the offence before the player spoke to the referee who eventually overturned the ruling – a full eight minutes after the goal had been originally allowed.
Marseille were infamously eliminated in the semi-final of the European Cup in 1990 by Benfica forward Vata, who punched home a goal now known as the ‘hand of the devil’ – a reference to Diego Maradona’s famous ‘hand of God’ goal.
Latest Stories
-
We’ll not engage in opaque and obscure deals when elected – Prof Opoku-Agyemang
8 mins -
Energy and Finance Ministries must provide funding to fix energy challenges – IES
15 mins -
Reintroduce Fiscal Responsibility Act to tackle election budget overrun – Osafo Marfo
16 mins -
Prioritise transparency, avoid suppressing the truth – Opoku-Agyemang advises EC
22 mins -
In times of setbacks, I won’t say I was only the driver’s mate – Naana Jane assures Mahama
23 mins -
Joselyn Dumas opens up on why single mothers struggle to find partners
25 mins -
Three damaged ECG pylons result in power outage for 9 Shama communities
28 mins -
Dual citizens eligible for Chief Justice, Chief Director, other positions – Supreme Court rules
1 hour -
SIGA urges increased financial support for SOEs
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo vows to enhance Ghana’s power supply
2 hours -
19 steps for getting over even the most devastating breakup fast
5 hours -
8th Ghana CEO Summit launched with focus on AI transformation, economic diversification
5 hours -
Prof Opoku-Agyemang has not been given a fair appraisal – Ablakwa
5 hours -
Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Keta and Anloga districts, residents count their losses
5 hours -
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
5 hours