Champions League: Michael Oliver’s controversial penalty decision dominate Twitter as Real Madrid advance

Twitter reactions to the controversial penalty in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Michael Oliver’s controversial penalty decision dominated Twitter as Real Madrid recovered after conceding three goals at home against Juventus to advance to the semi-final of the Champions League on Wednesday, April  11.

Juventus were up 3-0, on level on the aggregate score against Real Madrid and about to pull one of the biggest comebacks in Champions League history when English referee Oliver made the controversial call.

It was in the extra time when Medhi Benatia barged into Lucas Vazquez in the Juventus 18-yard-box and Oliver pointed to the spot.

It was a charged atmosphere as Juventus players protested heavily leading to the sending off of their captain and legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Cristiano Ronaldo however remained calm to fire the ball past the substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

 

The penalty decision was a source of debate on Twitter after the game as fans argued for and against it.

‘Michael Oliver’ was the third top trending item on Twitter Nigeria after the game as his decision sparked debate.

“For those crying about Ronaldo penalty remember a clear Real Madrid goal was ruled offside earlier Tackling n crossing all game won’t get u no where honey,” a Twitter user wrote.

 

“Brave penalty call from Michael Oliver. But I think it was correct and that's all that matters. PS: Referees don't "spoil" matches when they make the right call,” another Twitter users said.

 

“Michael Oliver's decision to award a last minute penalty to Real Madrid might have seemed quite controversial but looking at Benatia's tackle from the Ref's angle, you've gotta admit it was a very straight forward decision,” a football fan agreed with the decision. .

 

“Micheal Oliver was a brave man tonight to award that penalty at the Bernabéu. I reckon some other referees might have waved play on since it was hanging in the balance and they had a whole 30mins to slug it out. Fair play to him though, I thought that was a penalty,” a user said.

 

“Don't even start with that penalty call. It was the RIGHT call Benatia came from behind. Let's leave sentiments and talk facts,” another person said.

 

“‘Pushing from the back and kicking player inside penalty box isn't a penalty’ according to Barca fans,” another person wrote.

 

“To be fair that was a penalty. Sad for Juve and Buffon but over the two legs I think Madrid deserved it. Some true winner mentality in that squad,” another person also said.

“Real Madrid have much more power in Europe, not surprised they got the penalty call but if you turn the tables and put a Juve player in that position, in Serie A, it would certainly be a penalty as well. Juventini just take your L and move on,” a fan wrote.

 

“I am 500% sure if the incident happened against Madrid, Michael Oliver wouldn't have called a penalty...For the 2nd time in two years, Real Madrid fraud their way against a top team,” a Twitter user against the decision wrote on Twitter.

 

“It was a clear cut penalty, if you disagree you're either retarded or a Barcelona fan. It was a deserved red card for Buffon as well. You can't talk shit in the referee's face and push him and hope to get away with it. Ronaldo got a 5-game ban for it as well,” another person said.

“Same foul that is given numerous times on the pitch but because it's going to be a penalty fir Madrid you dey talk say the referee dey rob them. Lmao,” another person said.

“The referee blew a penalty against Juventus, then to make sure it is scored, he red cards their goalkeeper. Talk about getting the job done. Proper English referee,” another user wrote.

"That penalty summed up the standard of refereeing in England this season. That was the same referee who didnt give one card in the derby on Saturday, shambolic," another user wrote.

 

The game dominated Twitter trends both worldwide and Nigeria.

 

‘Madrid’, ‘Juve’, ‘Michael Oliver’, ‘Sergio Ramos’, ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’, ‘Goat’, and ‘Keylor Navas’ were the items on Twitter Nigeria.

 

‘Madrid’ was the number one trend worldwide as ‘Juventus’, ‘Champions’, ‘Ramos’, ‘Bernabeu’ and Keylor Navas were all on the worldwide trends.