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MOTM Alebiosu addresses penalty in Blackburn draw

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu was named Player of The Match despite a controversial stoppage-time penalty that resulted in a 2-2 draw against Wolves.
  • The penalty was awarded for a handball against Alebiosu, though replays suggested the incident occurred outside the box, with no VAR available in the Championship.
  • Despite the frustration, Alebiosu expressed pride in his team's effort and confidence in their ability to compete at a higher level if they maintain their performance.

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu, named Player of The Match, voiced his frustration after a controversial penalty decision denied his team a victory against Wolves in their Championship opener. The match at Molineux ended 2-2 after a late spot-kick awarded to Wolves.

Blackburn had fought back to lead 2-1, but referee Farai Hallam pointed to the penalty spot in stoppage time when the ball struck Alebiosu’s arm from a cross. Replays indicated the handball may have occurred outside the penalty area, a decision amplified by the absence of VAR in the English Football League.

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.

— Ryan AlebiosuExpressing frustration over the controversial penalty decision.

Raul Jimenez converted the penalty, securing a point for Wolves on his return to the club. The match had seen Wolves take an early lead through Marshall Munetsi, before Sean McLoughlin equalized for Blackburn. Andri Gudjohnsen then put the visitors ahead after halftime, only for Jimenez's late penalty to level the score.

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.

— Tony MowbrayCommenting on the penalty decision and its location.

"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," Alebiosu stated after the game. Blackburn coach Tony Mowbray also questioned the decision, noting that replays appeared to show the incident outside the box.

Despite the disappointment, Alebiosu remained positive about his team's performance. "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," he said, expressing confidence in Blackburn's potential to challenge higher up the league.

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.

— Ryan AlebiosuReflecting on the team's effort and future prospects despite the draw.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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