JOE HART has criticised the decision to penalise Matt O’Riley’s handball against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Group F – Real Madrid v Celtic – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – November 2, 2022 Celtic players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Susana Vera

The goalkeeper was sent the wrong way by Rodrygo, who took the second penalty.

Hart believes O’Riley’s hands couldn’t have gone anywhere else, posing the question of what he’s meant to do with his arms.

Speaking to BT Sports after the match, the former England number 1 said;

“What can he do? Chop his arms off?”

O’Riley never intentionally used his hands; in fact, there looked to be a motion to move them out of the way. The referee saw no problem with the incident in real time as she waved on the play. However, when she was invited to have another look at the monitor, she not only awarded the penalty, she booked Matt O’Riley.

The Dane was great in midfield tonight, putting in a great shift in the deeper role. He’s adapted well to what usually would be Callum McGregor’s position.

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