A controversial moment in Milan’s Champions League quarter-final win over Napoli was Olivier Giroud’s penalty, which the Rossoneri feel should’ve been retaken due to encroachment by the home side.
In the 22nd minute of the match, a clumsy foul by Mario Rui on Rafael Leao saw referee Szymon Marciniak immediately point to the penalty spot, giving Milan a strong chance to take the lead early in the second leg at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Giroud stepped up to the plate, but his penalty was comfortably saved by Alex Meret, giving Napoli a key lifeline as they worked to overcome their 1-0 deficit. The incident wasn’t without controversy, however, as Milan quickly highlighted how a number of Napoli players seemed to encroach into the penalty area before the decisive kick occurred.
Sky Sports Italia underlined why this penalty shouldn’t have been retaken, pointing to Napoli defender Juan Jesus. The rule regarding encroachment says that the attempt is void if a defending player has one or both feet on the ground inside the penalty area as the shot is made.
Freezeframe images suggest that Juan Jesus did not plant his foot on the ground as Giroud kicked the ball, so technically it was correct to allow play to continue and not retake the penalty.
Other outlets, like Sportface, disagree with this assessment, feeling that the kick should’ve been retaken due to the encroachment.
Why isn’t the encroachment image posted here? It’s in wide circulation and speaks volumes.
But missed penalty all the same…would have probably missed anyway.