Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy has given his verdict on the controversial decision that went against West Ham United at Freiburg.
David Moyes’s West Ham United suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of SC Freiburg away from home in Germany in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie on Thursday evening.
Michael Gregoritsch scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute.
There was a controversial incident injury time. West Ham thought that they were going to be awarded a penalty, but after a long Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for a potential Noah Weisshaupt handball, it was not given.
Jason Cundy comments on West Ham United controversy vs Freiburg
As quoted on BBC Sport, West Ham manager David Moyes is adamant that it was a penalty, but former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur player Jason Cundy has said on talkSPORT that it was not.
Cundy said on talkSPORT (10:16 pm, March 7, 2024): “I promise you, I promise you now, if that was Chelsea, I would say, ‘I understand it’. West Ham fans have got to get over the frustration, they have got to come on air and say, ‘Do you know what? If I am honest with myself, that’s not a penalty. If you are honest, if you are honest.”
My View: West Ham United could still win the tie
In my opinion, West Ham United can still beat Freiburg over two legs and progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League this season.
Losing the first leg away from home in Germany is not a bad result. And, the Premier League club went down by a single goal.
I think that West Ham, interest, have enough quality to get the job done in the second leg at London Stadium.
The Hammers, who won against Everton in the Premier League last weekend, can score two goals and book their place in the next stage of the UEFA Europa League. I would urge the West Ham fans to stay positive.
