Fans watching the England vs Denmark Euro 2020 clash last night noticed there was actually a second ball on the pitch in the build-up to that all-important penalty during extra time.
England made it through to their first major final since 1966 yesterday (7 July), having beaten Denmark 2-1 after the tense game went into extra time - when Raheem Sterling was fouled in the penalty box as he was closed down by Joakim Maehle and Mathias Jensen.
While Kane's initial shot was blocked by the firm hands of keeper Kasper Schmeichel, he was able to secure the winning second goal on the rebound.
However, it turns out that moments before the triumph, Sterling had come within inches of an extra ball on the pitch - which many fans watching at home had noticed.
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One person tweeted: "THERE WERE TWO BALLS ON THE PITCH WHEN PENALTY WAS CALLED?!"
Another said: "Two balls on the pitch but play was never stopped .... I actually can't believe their luck uno."
A third wrote: "Two balls on the pitch in build-up to penalty!"
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Another added: "Two balls on the pitch and then Sterling dives... referees are stealing a living."
FIFA rules stipulate that play must be stopped if a ball 'interferes' with the action.
According to the official rules for referees, once an 'extra ball, object or other animal enters the field of play', the referee must:
- Stop play (and restart with a dropped ball) only if it interferes with play - unless the ball is going into the goal and the interference does not prevent a defending player playing the ball, the goal is awarded if the ball enters the goal (even if contact was made with the ball) unless the interference was by the attacking team
- Allow play to continue if it does not interfere with play and have it removed at the earliest possible opportunity
And the extra ball wasn't the only reason why many people feel the penalty was controversial, with others arguing that Sterling had not been fouled.
After the game, Danish boss Kasper Hjulmand said: "We're very, very disappointed, and it's hard for me to talk about. Maybe it will easier for me to say how I feel in a few days.
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"We're just very disappointed that we were so close to the final.
"We're disappointed it was decided that way... it was a penalty that shouldn't have been a penalty, and that annoys me right now. We're disappointed, we're very disappointed.
"It's one thing to lose a game, that happens, but losing this way is just a disappointment, because these guys have fought a lot.
"It's bitter, I think we have to digest this before we can describe these feelings, but it's a bitter way to leave a tournament."
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But England winger Sterling maintains that he did get tripped up, a decision backed up by VAR.
He told ITV: "I went into the box and he stabbed his right leg out.
"As long as it goes into the back of the net, that's all that matters."
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Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: SPORT, News, Football, Euro 2020
