The game between Albion and Rotherham took an unexpected turn when a contentious penalty decision was made. With Albion already leading, Brandon Thomas-Asante’s shot struck Lee Peltier on the face, but contrary to what many observers saw, the referee pointed to the spot, awarding a penalty that John Swift converted to double West Brom’s lead. After the game, West Brom’s manager, Leam Richardson, expressed his frustration with the decision, stating that such decisions should not be influenced by a team’s position in the league. This sparked further criticism from multiple sources, with many labeling the penalty decision as one of the worst of the season.
The general sentiment was that the standard of officiating in the English Football League (EFL) had declined. Former top referee Keith Hackett also joined the chorus of disapproval, demanding an explanation from the match official, Geoff Eltringham. He emphasized that if the penalty was awarded for handball, the offense should have occurred inside the penalty area, not outside. Overall, the controversial penalty decision in the Albion vs. Rotherham match attracted widespread criticism and calls for better officiating standards in the EFL.
