Andoni Iraola left ‘very disappointed’ at decision that nearly cost Bournemouth against West Ham

Tue 17 December 2024 18:45, UK

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was left hot-headed following a penalty decision on Monday night which contradicted referees’ advice.

Controversy continued in the refereeing world of the Premier League in Monday night’s 1-1 draw between Bournemouth and West Ham.

Cherries manager Iraola couldn’t believe that Chris Kavanagh penalised Tyler Adams after a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka brushed his extended arm.

Adams was judged to have caused infringement which led to Lucas Paqueta almost delivering the Hammers three points if it wasn’t for Enes🍌 Unal’s sensational 90th-minute free kick.

Iraola pro🃏ved to be furious with the decision after being misled with information stated at the start of the season.

Andoni Iraola ‘very disappointed’ with penalty decision in Bournemouth vs West Ham

Once again𝓀 the limelight has been taken by Premier L🍒eague referees and once again not for the right reasons.

Adams’ hand was deemed to be in an unnatural position which ꦛhas sparked debate in what is right and wrong regarding the handball law.

Appalled by the fact the penalt꧙y had been given, Iraola made his feelings clear after the game, exposing the referee’s wishes before the season started.

The Bournemouth boss said,🍸 via : “I’m very, very disappointed with the penalty because it’s an action that we spoke before the season started with the referees. They gave expressly the instruction not to tell our players to defend with their hands behind their back because it was not natural.

“I said ‘OK, we give these instructions (to put hanꦺds behind backs) because it’s costing us p🦋enalties’ and he’s gone, ‘no, don’t worry, it’s natural, it’s not going to cost you’. Bam, the first one: penalty.

“It’s obviously natural because everyone that hasཧ played football (knows) you go running to block a shot, a cross, you finish with one hand down, one up, it’s like this always. It doesn’t change a lot the trajectory, they almost scored a goal with the header from Fullkrug and I’m very disappointed.”

Jamie Carragher claims Bournemouth handball was ‘really harsh’

Iraola’s claims suggest that 🦄the conversations with Professional Game Match Officials Limited at the start of the season have been heavily contradicted.

No doubt if Unal’s late free-kick hadn’t salvaged a point for the Cherries, Iraola’s expressive statements would be a lot harshe♛💦r.

Speaking on SkySports post-game, Jamie Carragher agreed with the Bournemouth manager an🌠d also d🉐etailed the fact it almost ended up as a goal in the first instance.

“The fact that West Ham got a really good chance from the handball, and without that hand they probably don’t get such a good opp🍃ortunity.

“As soon as the referee goes to look at the monitor we know it will be given, but it takes it away from the first defender and gives West Ham a great oppo🃏rtunity so I thought it was really 🦹harsh.”

"That handball has helped West Ham"

Carra on West Ham's penalty against Brighton 👀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)

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Without Unal’s late free-kick, defeat at the Vitality could’ve been a real set-back for Iraola’s pursuit of European football for the Cherries, and would’ve landed✃ the PGMOL in even deeper water.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	ArsenalArsenal	16	8	6	2	29	15	14	30
4	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	16	8	4	4	21	19	2	28
5	Man CityManchester City	16	8	3	5	28	23	5	27
6	B’mouthBournemouth	16	7	4	5	24	21	3	25
7	Aston VillaAston Villa	16	7	4	5	24	25	-1	25
8	FulhamFulham	16	6	6	4	24	22	2	24
9	BrightonBrighton	16	6	6	4	26	25	1	24