ISL 2018-19: 5 shocking referee blunders in the league so far

#2 Emiliano Alfaro hand-ball in the game between FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters (2nd November, 2018)

Emiliano Alfaro

Emiliano Alfaro handled the ball on the goal line to prevent it from crossing the line. There was complete confusion as initially the goal was given for crossing the line but later disallowed after the referee consulted with his linesman. Om Prakash Thakur was the guilty party on this occasion as it should have been a clear penalty for handball by Alfaro.

It is the 42nd minute in the match. Slavisla Stojanovic whips in a good cross from the corner. Nemanja Lakic-Pesic somehow manages to get the ball towards the far post. Nikola Krcmarevic, who was at the far post, sends the ball goalward. There is a desperate dive by Emiliano Alfaro and the keeper Kamaljit to prevent the ball from crossing the line. Nikola feels he has done enough and the ball has crossed the line.

However, Om Prakash consults his linesman and the goal is disallowed. Replays show that Alfaro intentionally handles the ball to prevent it from crossing line and it should have been a straight red for him as well as a penalty awarded to Kerala but it was not to be as Om felt otherwise.

However, as karma would have it, Alfaro missed a penalty himself on the other end in the same match and the encounter finished on a 1-1 stalemate.