Is this the “worst refereeing decision ever?” » Fans criticize ‘astonishing’ decision to give West Brom a penalty for a hand ball in win over Rotherham… after the ball hit Lee Peltier OUTSIDE the area

West Brom secured a 2-0 victory over Rotherham on Wednesday evening in controversial circumstances, after a penalty was awarded to Miller winger Lee Peltier for hand balling, although the ball hit him on the left. outside the surface.

Carlos Corberan’s side tightened their grip on a play-off place, with Brandon Thomas-Asante putting the hosts ahead after 23 minutes, scoring his 12th goal of the season from close range.

Just before half-time the Baggies would double their lead with John Swift scoring from the spot to seal the victory.

But the decision to award the penalty was branded “astonishing” and a “disgrace” by some fans online after Thomas-Asante completed another long-range shot which was blocked by Peltier.

The winger, who had advanced to the edge of the D, jumped to block the attacker’s attempt and appeared to raise his arms and turn his body towards the shot.

Brandon Thomas-Asante’s shot appeared to hit Lee Peltier outside the penalty area

Referee Geoff Geoff Eltringham then awarded West Brom a penalty for handballing.

West Brom then appealed to referee Geoff Eltringham to award the penalty, with Rotherham dismayed by the decision.

He then pointed out the spot, with Millers assistant coach Rob Kelly receiving a yellow card for protesting with officials on the touchline.

Sam Cluclus reportedly told reporters that the referee told them the ball was “miles inside the box”.

Journalist Paul Davies wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Sam Clucas says referee said #rufc players’ penalty incident was miles inside the box.”

After the match, former Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore admitted his shock at the decision, saying the “officials had cost them” the match.

“It’s incredible,” he told the BBC. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. How the hell did he give a penalty there?

“The second goal was a game changer. The referee cost us there even though it’s 1-0, you’re still in the match.

The result means Rotherham remain bottom of the Championship table, having won just once in their last five matches and now being 19 points behind Birmingham – who sit one place above them.

Some fans took to social media to denounce the penalty decision, with one writing: “This penalty decision has to be one of the worst decisions ever made!”

A West Brom supporter added: “@RotherhamUnited Shameful decision, as a baggies fan I’m embarrassed. »

Another fan said it didn’t appear to hit Peltier’s arm: “To say the decision to award West Brom this penalty against #rufc was absolutely astonishing would be a massive understatement. Off the beaten track and it didn’t look like handball either.

“As an Albion fan, I’ll take it all day. But man, this is horrible officiating. Not in a million years is this a #wba penalty.’

Rotherham players protested to the referee after he awarded the hosts the spot-kick.

John Swift celebrates after scoring the controversial penalty which sparked backlash online

Paul Davis reported that the referee told Sam Clucas that the penalty was “miles inside the box”.

Several fans hit out at the decision, with one saying “as a Baggies fan I’m embarrassed”.

With Norwich drawing against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night, the Baggies opened up a four-point gap between themselves and the Canaries, after a trio of draws against Milwall, Wolves and Stoke.

After the match, Corberan stressed the importance of getting back to winning ways as West Brom hope to secure promotion to the Premier League following relegation in 2021.

“I think it was very important for us to get the three points today because after the last international break we played three games where we could only get a draw in all of them,” he said after the match.

“So getting back the feeling of winning was very important.

“People can understand and see the table and think Rotherham will be an easy game. But it is true that two games ago they beat Millwall and yesterday Millwall beat Leicester, the team who are top of the league .

Thomas-Asante would score the first goal after 23 minutes to give the hosts the lead

Rotherham manager Leam Richardson’s side remain bottom of the Championship table.

Carlos Corberan said it was good to get back to winning ways after indifferent recent results

“It means that everything you achieve on the football field is a consequence of the work you do.”

He added: “If we get back to our level and compete regularly at that level, then we will have more options to win matches and the more matches you win, the more options you will have to secure a place in the dams”. .’