Spanish Referee Mateu Lahoz gives verdict on Osimhen penalty incident

Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz has weighed in on the controversial penalty incident involving Victor Osimhen and Pau Cubarsi during the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash between Napoli and Barcelona.

The incident occurred in the 50th minute of the game when 17-year-old Cubarsi made contact with Osimhen inside the box, prompting appeals for a penalty from Napoli.

However, Dutch referee Danny Desmond Makkelie, who officiated the match, ruled the tackle to be legal, a decision that was subsequently upheld by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

Following the match, Lahoz offered his perspective on the incident, suggesting that while Cubarsi’s challenge on Osimhen could potentially be interpreted as a penalty in other competitions, such calls are less likely to be awarded in the Champions League.

“Cubarsi’s tackle on Osimhen could perhaps be called as a penalty kick, but not in the Champions League. That’s what I like about the competition; I hope we can learn that in Spain,” Lahoz stated, as reported by Barca Universal.

Napoli ultimately suffered a 3-1 defeat on the night, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate loss and their exit from the Champions League.