Alebiosu Reacts to Controversial Penalty in Blackburn’s Draw With Wolves
Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has expressed his frustration over the controversial penalty decision that denied Blackburn Rovers victory in their 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers in their Championship opener at Molineux on Friday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Alebiosu, who was named Player of the Match after an impressive full-match display, was at the centre of the late controversy when referee Farai Hallam awarded Wolves a penalty after the ball struck his arm from a Jackson Tchatchoua cross.
Replays appeared to suggest that the incident occurred outside the penalty area, but with VAR unavailable in the EFL, the decision stood. Raul Jimenez subsequently converted the spot-kick on his return to Wolves to rescue a point for the hosts.
Wolves had taken an 18th-minute lead through Marshall Munetsi before Sean McLoughlin equalised for Blackburn. Andri Gudjohnsen then put the visitors ahead three minutes into the second half, only for Jimenez's late penalty to level the scores.
Alebiosu admitted he was disappointed with the decision but insisted he believed he was outside the box.
“We’re frustrated. The boys have done everything to get the three points. The ball has been played, and I thought I was outside the box. Obviously the decision has gone against us,” he said.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray also questioned the decision after the match, suggesting the incident appeared to have taken place outside the area.
“Having watched the still pictures, it looks outside the box to me. If it hits him on the hand and it is away from his body, I suppose in modern-day football (it is a penalty). But it still looks outside the box to me,” Mowbray said.
Despite the frustrating outcome, Alebiosu was encouraged by Blackburn’s performance and believes the team can compete near the top of the Championship if they maintain the same standard.
“The boys dug deep, and we thought we had it. Just the final details with the penalty is frustrating. If we play like that every week, we will go far in the table.”
Blackburn will now search for their first victory of the new campaign when they welcome Middlesbrough to Ewood Park next weekend.
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