Fans are arguing that the ref should have stopped play
Whilst most people who watched the semi final on Wednesday will be debating the penalty decision itself as the main point of contention in England’s win, others think there’s another reason that Kane should never have had the opportunity to put England in the final.
Some fans have noticed that there was actually a second ball on the pitch as Sterling ran into the box and won the penalty that took England to a first final since… well, you know when.
The second ball wasn’t interfering with play, which is likely to be the reason that the ref didn’t decide to stop the game to remove it from the pitch.
But for many fans, who I’m presuming are mainly Danish (and Scottish), this is yet another a reason why the penalty should not have been awarded.
One fan wrote: “Regardless of the fact that it wasn’t a penalty. Doesn’t the whistle always blow when a second ball is on the pitch?”
https://twitter.com/Narek_RMA1/status/1412886843696287746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1412886843696287746%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportbible.com%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news-reactions-fans-have-noticed-a-second-ball-on-the-pitch-during-england-vs-denmark-20210707
Another asked: “Anyone else notice the second ball on the pitch as Sterling wins the penalty?”
Anyone else notice the second ball on the pitch as Sterling wins the penalty ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/crGWEFrvaU
— jonathan heath (@jonathanheath12) July 7, 2021
A third simply said: “Can we talk about the second ball”
Can we talk about the second ball pic.twitter.com/5Fyol5uICy
— Ger_F1|🇩🇪 (@SheeshF1) July 7, 2021
Well, hindsight’s a fine thing isn’t it. Of course, play wasn’t stopped, Sterling was awarded a stonewall penalty, and Kane slotted home with absolutely zero drama. Absolutely no drama or controversy whatsoever….
So England will now play in their first final since the 1966 World Cup. On Sunday they will face Italy at Wembley, for a chance to end 55 years of hurt.
Don’t peak too soon everyone. It’s going to be a long few days….
