The referee was right to give a penalty... and show Demichelis a red card

By Graham Poll for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:04 EST, 18 February 2014 | Updated: 18:55 EST, 18 February 2014

Barcelona’s penalty was rightly awarded. Perhaps referee Jonas Eriksson missed a foul by Sergio Busquets on Jesus Navas before the Barca attack, but these things happen in football.

What cannot be disputed is that Martin Demichelis fouled Lionel Messi fully in the knowledge that the Argentine was through and would most likely have scored. It was a clear red card.

There was a question over the exact position of the foul. I was taught that experienced defenders make last ditch tackles knowing they are just outside the area.

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However, in my opinion contact continued until at least the line marking the penalty area and further, meaning awarding a penalty was a correct decision.

If there is doubt then a referee should give it outside. You can’t guess a penalty. Eriksson must have been sure and if you look at the foul from the assistant referee’s position, he will have seen contact had occurred inside.

To further support the referee’s decision there was a second touch, this time from Demichelis’s trailing leg, and that was definitely inside the penalty area.

City may feel aggrieved but they were lucky not to go three down. Gerard Pique’s goal was adjudged to be offside, but Gael Clichy played him onside.