FANS have slammed a huge Champions League refereeing blunder as the “worst decision of the season”.
Club Brugge scored a 94th minute penalty to beat Atalanta 2-1 in a first leg play-off round clash.
Gustaf Nilsson went down holding his face after a clash with Isak Hien[/caption]
The referee controversially gave a penalty despite minimal contact[/caption]
The official then gave three Atalanta players bookings for their protests[/caption]
Nilsson dispatched the penalty for Club Brugge[/caption]
The controversial penalty awarded to Club Brugge in the 91st minute
The Atalanta players are fuming with the referee
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But the decision to award the last-gasp spot-kick for a foul on eventual goalscorer Gustaf Nilsson was highly controversial.
The striker chased down a loose ball in the box, only for Atalanta defender Isak Hien to get there first and hold him off.
His right arm ended up brushing his Swedish compatriot, who went down clutching his face theatrically.
Turkish referee Halil Meler pointed to the spot and the decision was surprisingly not overturned by VAR.
Fuming Atalanta stars surrounded the referee, with Rafael Toloi, ex-Chelsea man Juan Cuadrado and Hien all getting yellow carded.
Nilsson kept his cool amid the chaos and scored to take a one-goal advantage to Italy next week.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini stormed down the tunnel as the ball hit the back of the net, ripping his coat off as he went.
Fans were left shocked by the decision, with one saying: “Might be the worst decision I’ve seen all season.”
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Another added: “Disgraceful decision.”
A third wrote: “Worst penalty decision ever. Absolutely embarrassing.”
Ref Meler is no stranger to being at the centre of controversy after being punched by Ankaragucu’s club president Faruk Koca at full-time of a game just over a year ago.
