The defender of the Ukrainian national team commented on the controversial decision the referee, apologizing to his partners.
Defender of the Ukrainian Olympic team Maxim Taloverov spoke about the penalty awarded by the referee against the “blue-yellows” in the first round match offootball Olympic tournament 2024against the Iraqi team.
The controversial episode occurred in the 56th minute when the score was 1:0 in favor of Ukraine. Taloverov put his hands on Aiman Hussein's back during a serve from the right flank, which became the basis for a penalty kick, which the Iraqi player successfully converted, leveling the score in the match.
“Penalty? Actually, I haven't watched the video yet. I think I may have pushed him a little, but he dived 100%. Of course, I'll review it, maybe it's my mistake if it's a penalty. But I think it's definitely not a yellow card “Of course, I’m very upset, because I have no right to make such mistakes if it’s actually a penalty. I’m upset and I apologize to the team. If it’s a penalty, then I’m very annoyed,” Taloverov said in a commentary for Suspilne Sport.
In the first match in its history at the Olympic Games, which took place on July 24 at the Parc Olympique Lyonne stadium in French Lyon, the Ukrainian national football team lost to Iraq with a score of 1:2.
In another match of the first round of Group B, Argentina lost with a scandal to Morocco (1:2). Thus, Iraq and Morocco scored 3 points each, Ukraine and Argentina are still without points.
In the second round, the Ukrainian team will play against the Moroccan team on July 27 in Saint-Etienne. On the same day, Argentina will meet with Iraq.
Rotan's team will complete the group round on July 30 with a match in Lyon with Argentina. Morocco and Iraq will compete in a parallel game.
According to the regulations, players who were born after January 1, 2001 will take part in the Olympic football tournament. Each team was allowed to enter only three performers over this age.