)
Cyriel Dessers expressed his anger after his team's loss to Athletic Club, maintaining that he was denied a penalty and that the defender admitted fault after the match.
Rangers lost 2-0 to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, eliminating them from the UEFA Europa League competition.
In the game, Dessers had a penalty shout, which the referee, Irfan Peljto, failed to give after Bilbao’s Dani Vivian pulled his shirt inside the box.
The decision by UEFA officials that there was no foul, despite a VAR check, caused anger among pundits and former players.
)
10:38 - 17.04.2025
Dangerous player - Former Barca coach Valverde singles out Super Eagles outcast ahead decisive clash
Ex-Barca boss Valverde calls Super Eagles' Cyriel Dessers "dangerous" for his runs and threat. Rangers face Athletic Bilbao in a crucial tie with possession and counters key.
)
11:36 - 31.03.2025
Last-Gasp Hero! Super Eagles striker Dessers left stunned after dramatic late winner against Dundee
Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers rose to the occasion for Rangers, grabbing a last-minute winning goal in the dramatic 4-3 victory over Dundee to mark his 100th appearance at the club.
Dessers speaks on penalty incident
Dessers spoke to TNT Sports via Daily Record after the match and revealed the aftermath of the controversial moment.
)
He said, "The ball gets deflected into the box and I wanted to make a run for it as I think I can get to it. Then my shirt gets pulled and even if there’s doubt, just look at the shirt.
"If there’s a tear like this, something happened at least. You can’t rip a shirt in the box. It’s not possible in the middle of the pitch, never mind the box. So that was a game changer.
"I spoke to the defender and, of course, he admitted it was a penalty. Everyone could see what happened."
)
The officiating at San Mamés was criticised by former Rangers star Ally McCoist, who pointed out that a top Premier League refereeing official was present at the game.
The debate over the consistency of VAR decisions in European competition has been reignited by the controversy.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)