Rio Ferdinand slammed for doubling down on ‘stonewall’ penalty remark

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
4 min read

Rio Ferdinand has doubled down on his assertion that Inter should have been awarded a penalty against AC Milan with the two clubs facing off in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Inter found the back of the net thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. It could have been a lot worse after Lautaro Martinez went down inside the box.

Article continues under the video

To everyone else, it looked like it was very soft. The referee initially awarded the spot-kick but was informed to check his pitchside monitor to review the decision.

After looking again at pitchside, the official chalked off the penalty. But the likes of Steve McManaman and Ferdinand for BT Sport could not believe that the referee had opted to reverse his call, being in the minority that it was, in fact, a penalty.

McManaman said he was 'amazed' by the decision, while Ferdinand called it ‘stonewall’.

Watching it live you could argue that it was reactionary - but then Manchester United legend Ferdinand tweeted to affirm that it should have been a penalty awarded to Inter, much to the despair of everyone else watching the contest at the San Siro.

Still think it’s a penalty… #MilanInter
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 10, 2023

Ferdinand in the minority

A reprieve for Fikayo Tomori 😳

Sent for a hot dog by Lautaro Martínez 🥴#UCL pic.twitter.com/aA3aJW54rG
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 10, 2023

Rio Ferdinand thinking that is 100% a penalty after seeing that replay needs his microphone turning off.
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) May 10, 2023

What are BT Sport and Rio Ferdinand on about?

There’s quite clearly not enough contact for a foul and penalty to be given

It’s not a dive, but it’s not a foul either

Correct decision
— Rory Talks Football (@Rory_Talks_Ball) May 10, 2023

The next time you hear chat about ex-footballers being a good option for acting as VAR, just show them the 2mins of McManaman and Rio Ferdinand saying that was a nailed on penalty for Inter there. Batshit stuff.
— GoalsGoneWild (@Goals_Gone_Wild) May 10, 2023

The Champions League coverage on BT Sport is genuinely dreadful. Darren Fletcher and Steve McManaman mentioning the Premier League every 5 seconds and then Rio Ferdinand chiming in with absolute drivel every few minutes
— Ryan Stewart (@Ryzie_1990) May 10, 2023

Read more about: Serie A, Inter, Milan, Lautaro Martinez