Referee Apologizes To Ronaldo & Portugal For Disallowed Goal
The referee who ruled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Serbia has confirmed he has apologized to the Portuguese national team for his grievous mistake.
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie has apologized to Fernando Santos and the Portugal team for denying Cristiano Ronaldo’s match-winning goal in the 2-2 draw at Serbia on Sunday.
Upon Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort managed to cross the goal-line before Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic cleared it, the referee Makkelie waved for play to continue – much to everyone and Ronaldo’s utter disbelief and fury.
The decision by the referee had cost Portugal two valuable points in their World Cup qualifying campaign and Ronaldo a 103rd international goal. However, Danny Makkelie, who had no goal-line technology to review his decision, has owned up to his error.
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“As per FIFA’s policies, all I can say is that I apologized to the national coach, Mr. Fernando Santos, and to the Portuguese team for what happened,” Makkelie told A Bola.
“As a referee team, we always work hard to make good decisions. When we are in the news in this manner, it doesn’t make us happy at all.”
On the other hand, Portugal manager Fernando Santos also confirmed Makkelie had apologized to the team afterward and urged FIFA to bring in goal-line technology.
That apart, Ronaldo will now hope to put the saga behind him by returning to the scoresheet for Portugal in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier away to Luxembourg.
At least the referee apologizes and admitted his mistakes!
