Credit: Imago

Keith Hackett

Mon 9 June 2025 20:52, UK Updated Tue 10 June 2025 2:09, UK

Tottenham attacker Brennan Johnson was penalised in the game between Wales and Belgium.

The British side travelled to Brussels to take on the Red Devils at the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday, 9 June.

The hosts are in cruise control currently, leading by a 3-1 scoreline at half-time.

Belgium did not deserve a penalty in the first half of the FIFA World Cup qualifier

Kevin De Bruyne took a left-footed shot which appeared to be on target in the first 15 minutes of the contest.

Chris Mepham made an attempt to block it, but failed to prevent the outgoing Manchester City ace from having a crack at goal.

However, Johnson’s intervention prevented the ball from hitting the target, but it hit him on the arm.

The Spurs attacker’s arm was tucked to his body and it wasn’t outstretched.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett admits that the referee and VAR got things wrong by giving a penalty.

“This was a poor and incorrect decision by the referee and VAR,” Hackett said.

“The defender did not make his body shape bigger and frankly, the shot at short distance struck him.

“He did not have time to react and there was no movement of hand to ball.”

Tottenham ace Johnson hard done by as Belgium get unfair advantage

It undoubtedly was a bitter pill to swallow for Johnson and the Welsh side as the Tottenham winger did nothing wrong.

Belgium converted from the resulting penalty and that gave them the ascendancy in the game.

The goal meant Wales would have to play more expansively in the hunt for an opening goal.

This saw them leaving their backline exposed and they ended up conceding two more goals.

Even in the Premier League, referees make such baffling goals and it’s hard for even the most biased people to make a case for them.

Hopefully, such things are discussed in great detail in the coming weeks and everything is in place ahead of the next season.