RIO FERDINAND has claimed that France’s penalty in their Euro 2020 clash with Portugal was a ‘terrible decision’.
But the England legend admitted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s first spot-kick that opened the scoring was fair because of Hugo Lloris’ ‘recklessness’.
France conceded the first of three pens after Spurs captain Lloris caught Danilo in the head attempting to clear the ball from a corner.
But speaking at halftime, BBC pundits Alan Shearer and Ferdinand both felt it was a stonewall spot-kick.
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Shearer said: “I think it’s a pen. Lloris has mistimed coming out and whacked him in the face”, while Rio added: “That’s GBH”.
Manchester United icon Ferdinand then agreed with his former teammate Frank Lampard that ‘keepers have been given leeway for years’.
Ferdinand said: “Goalkeepers are a protected species aren’t they. It was dangerous, reckless and I’m pleased it was given.”
However, the 42-year-old couldn’t say the same for France’s penalty after Nelson Semedo was penalised for body checking Kylian Mbappe.
Karim Benzema stepped up to convert but asked for his thoughts, Ferdinand added: “This is a terrible decision.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt in any of our minds. It’s good defending from Semedo, I’ve been critical of him. That’s not a penalty for me.”
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz – who officiated the Champions League final – ultimately gave a third penalty after the break.
Jules Kounde was adjudged to have handled the ball and Ronaldo bagged his second of the night to rescue a 2-2 draw with France.
The clash was the first time in Euros history that free penalties had been awarded in one game.
