Man Utd loanee Chris Smalling gives away most bizarre penalty of season with handball in Roma loss to Torino
MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Chris Smalling gave away a bizarre penalty as he back-handed the ball inside the penalty area.
The Roma defender accidentally performed a swipe more akin to a tennis player than a footballer during his side’s 2-0 loss at home to Torino.
Smalling, 30, had been getting to grips with Andrea Belotti when the offence occurred.
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He had slid in to block the Torino forward’s shot on goal, and did well.
Reacting quickly, the former England international stood up, but accidentally waved his arm at the ball.
It prompted a VAR review and, rightly, a penalty was awarded to the visitors, with Belotti adding insult to injury by converting.
Smalling is keen on a permanent move to Roma after reported interest from Inter, Juventus and Arsenal — but United are unlikely to sell direct to a Premier League rival.
It is not as bizarre as the decision that went against Smalling in the Europa League back in October though.
The ball hit him in the face in the 94th minute of a group game against Monchengladbach, but the referee awarded a penalty for a perceived hand ball.
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Replays showed the ball clearly hit the former Fulham man in the face and the Roma players were furious.
The Serie A side have also qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League, where they face Gent on February 20.
First Smalling has to get to grips with Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus, when the Old Lady visit on Sunday, with Maurizio Sarri’s side currently second in the Scudetto standings behind Inter on goal difference.