On Wednesday 7th November 2018 during the Manchester City vs Shakhtar Donetsk UCL game, we witness a pretty historic moment in footballing history after Raheem Sterling ran into the penalty area, kicked the ground instead of the ball, and was awarded a penalty for doing so.
Raheem Sterling ran into the penalty area, kicked THE GROUND instead of THE BALL, and was awarded a penalty for doing so.
No, no one touched Sterling prior to the ground kicking. No one was even close to touching him. Despite all of this, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Pay a particular attention to Pyatov’s reaction.
THAT IS A SHOCKER!
Raheem Sterling trips on the turf, unopposed and the referee awards a penalty kick. 😱 pic.twitter.com/vdCDsw8Qsf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 7, 2018
What angered football fans is the fact that Sterling did apologize after the match, he said to BT Sport:
“I went to chip the ball and don’t know what happened. I didn’t feel contact. I scuffed the ball. Apologies to the ref.”
As expected, Twitter had a complete meltdown:
Exact footage of Rahim Sterling winning that penalty 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #MCISHK #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/stl8pb8CUQ
— Scott Watson (@iamcalledscott) November 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1060268728053628938
https://twitter.com/Robbie9Fowler/status/1060271407240806407
🤦♂️ Raheem Sterling there…#MCISHK pic.twitter.com/17iu8E1Djn
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) November 7, 2018
Sterling knew the defender never touched him.
To let the penalty go ahead makes him just as culpable as the ref.
I wish more footballers were like @Robbie9Fowler. https://t.co/FTeOB8GFuv
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 7, 2018
Sterling should have protested that penalty. Big shame really. This is why I support VAR. Unfair penalty against Shaktar.
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) November 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/SemperFiUtd/status/1060274971757416448
Really really wish that Sterling had shaken his head & ‘fessed up’. Even if he didn’t kick the floor on purpose, he must have known he wasn’t tripped. Would have got huge plaudits.
— Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) November 7, 2018
Pyatov’s reaction to one of the funniest pen. calls in football history. #Sterling pic.twitter.com/nviMF8cWDP
— yağız (@crixelisia) November 7, 2018
Not saying that it's the biggest UEFA scandal involving Manchester City this week, but I've just seen the Raheem Sterling penalty decision.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) November 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/1060267500716331008
Can anyone name me a worse decision than the Sterling Pen?
— ⚽️442oons⚽️ (@442oons) November 7, 2018
He may be responsible for the funniest 'assist' of the season but now Sterling's gone and got himself on the scoresheet!
Seriously you need to watch him trip over his feet later, you won't regret it! 😅#MCISHK pic.twitter.com/i2VNI09jS5
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 7, 2018