Blatant fouls. The British media continues to highlight the referee’s decision to ignore a situation where a penalty kick (PK) should have been awarded. 스포츠토토

The Express, a British daily newspaper, highlighted a scene where Son Heung-min (Tottenham) was tripped by an opposing defender as he entered the penalty area during the South Korea-Saudi Arabia National Football Team A match at St. James’ Park in Newcastle on the 13th (below). ‘The Tottenham striker was kicked (by an opponent) while sprinting towards the goal, but no PK was awarded,’ he wrote, ‘Referee Andy Madley bizarrely denied Son Heung-min a PK.

South Korea took the lead in the 32nd minute on a header from Cho Kyu-sung, and four minutes later Son Heung-min had a golden opportunity. After receiving a pass from Cho Kyu-sung, he drove down the right side of the penalty area and was brought down by a tackle from Saudi defender Hassan Tambakti. Heung-min was convinced of a PK, but English Premier League referee Madley waved it away and let play continue.

A dumbfounded Son protested to umpire Madley. Local replays also showed Son tripping over Tambakti’s leg.

“The South Korean captain beat the last defender and appeared to be heading for goal, but the second Saudi defender (Tambakti) rushed in desperately to make a last-ditch tackle,” the Express reported, reiterating that “Son Heung-min went down expecting a PK, but referee Madley, incredibly, did not give it.

Another outlet, The Athletic, noted that Newcastle United, which plays at St. James’ Park, is owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which may have taken advantage of the call on what was effectively a Saudi home game. ‘Newcastle are closely linked to the Saudi national team,’ the outlet noted, suggesting that home advantage was implicit.