Some Southampton fans have poked fun at the referee’s decision to not give the club a penalty after a Toby Alderweireld handball in their win over Tottenham on New Year’s Day recently.
The Saints picked up a huge 1-0 win over Spurs, with Danny Ings scoring his 13th goal of the campaign for the club. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are now unbeaten in as many as four Premier League games, having also beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They are now up to 12th in the Premier League, days after being in the relegation zone.
One incident from the win over Spurs saw the referee not hand Southampton a penalty despite the ball hitting Alderweireld’s hand in the Tottenham box.
Southampton fans: Was it a penalty?
No question about!
It wasn't a pen
And some Southampton fans are mocking this decision and feel that it should have been a penalty after The Saints Centre asked their Twitter followers to provide them with (wrong) answers.
Clearly hit his foot
— Joe (@sfcJoe_) January 2, 2020
He was pointing out directions
— Bob Loblaw’s Law Blog (@ChrisPen2530) January 2, 2020
He was playing rush goalie
— Greg Small (@GregSmallPT) January 2, 2020
Because var was right
— Benj (@SFCBenj) January 2, 2020
Clearly hit his foot
— Joe (@sfcJoe_) January 2, 2020
Gaz off his line, 10 players encroaching – rules are rules.
— Hassan O. J. Morad (@HassanOJMorad) January 2, 2020
Alderweireld is a former Southampton player and he has been at the club since the summer of 2015, when Mauricio Pochettino signed the Belgian from Atletico Madrid as he penned a five-year deal at the club.
During his time at Southampton in the 2014-15 season, the Belgium international played a total of 28 games in all competitions for the Saints. He scored once, before moving to Spurs in 2015.
What do we think?
The ball clearly stuck Alderweireld’s hand and it wasn’t a natural position to keep his hands in. Southampton, arguably, deserved a penalty and the Saints fans are right to mock the referee’s decision in a hilarious fashion.