Bradley Barcola was denied what he believes was a clear penalty in France’s 1–0 Nations League victory over Belgium on Tuesday night. The Liverpool winger was brought down by Nathan Ngoy in the first half but the referee waved away appeals, ruling it shoulder-to-shoulder contact.
Barcola was unhappy with the decision. ‘If I talk about it, I’m probably in trouble, but I have to say what I think,’ he said after the match. ‘I felt the contact. I was inside the box and I was trying to continue the action. What frustrates me most is that these decisions can change a game.’
The incident drew criticism from France legend Thierry Henry, who said Ngoy had come from behind and put his body into Barcola, dismissing the referee’s assessment. ‘That is not shoulder-to-shoulder,’ Henry argued. Michael Olise’s 88th-minute goal ensured the incident did not cost France the points.
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