Valencia are to appeal to UEFA after a penalty shootout elimination from the Youth League against Chelsea saw a spot kick cross the line but not be given.
The game finished 1-1 after normal time and so went to penalties, with the English side converting all five of their attempts.
Referee Adrien Jaccottet was under the impression that a penalty from Alberto Gil hit the post and bounced out but rather the ball hit the back of the net and rebounded away from goal.
Valencia Coach Gary Neville was watching and declared what he saw as ‘scandalous’ and Los Che are to appeal to UEFA to have the game replayed, Chelsea having acknowledged that Gil’s penalty should have stood.
The BBC allege that the Valencia players and staff asked Jaccottet to view footage of the penalty, but he refused.
“Valencia wishes to inform our fans that the club will submit a written protest in connection with the referee’s decision to annul the goal scored by the youth team in the match against Chelsea,” a club statement confirmed.
“We are confident UEFA will give an appropriate response at the level required by the situation. They have the opportunity to discuss our claim.”
Coach Javier Sanchis added when speaking to the club’s radio station that there could be no option but to replay at least the penalty shootout.
“It would be an injustice not to replay. The images speak for themselves. The penalties should be repeated,” he said, AS reports.
“Chelsea acknowledged [the penalty had gone in] to me. They said they were sorry but it’s part of the game.
“I congratulate my players. The kids deserve a 10 for everything they have done. They should be very proud.”
