Controversy struck a UEFA Nations League fixture in Kaunas when a seventh-minute penalty decision against Azerbaijan sparked pitch-side reactions, an early substitution, and criticism from sports media and a former referee.
The Penalty Incident in Kaunas
The flashpoint occurred during the opening stages of the match at the stadium in Kaunas, Lithuania. In the 7th minute, a challenge unfolded inside the Azerbaijan penalty area between Lithuania midfielder Gvidas Gineitis and Azerbaijan player Emil Safarov. Gineitis went down to the turf under the challenge, prompting referee Menelaos Antoniou to point to the penalty spot. Lithuania forward Armandas Kučys stepped up and converted the spot-kick to open the scoring.
Player Reaction and Tactical Fallout
The decision immediately provoked fury from Safarov. Speaking after the final whistle, the Azerbaijan midfielder voiced deep frustration over the sequence, claiming that a home player had actually stepped on his foot prior to the collision. Safarov expressed disbelief that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system did not intervene to review the incident.
The emotional toll of the decision heavily impacted the player during the first half. Safarov admitted that the penalty call caused him to experience severe psychological distress on the pitch. To prevent a disciplinary escalation, the Azerbaijan coaching staff opted to substitute him at halftime, seeking to avoid a potential red card resulting from his mounting frustration.
Media and Expert Criticism
The officiating decision drew swift condemnation across Azerbaijani sports media outlets. Reporting on the fixture, the sports portal Fanat.Az characterized the penalty as entirely questionable, arguing that Safarov did not kick Gineitis and that the Lithuanian player initiated contact by stepping on the midfielder’s foot. Former FIFA referee Deniz Ateş Bitnel echoed those assessments, labeling the penalty harshly severe and expressing bewilderment over the referee’s verdict in comments reported by İdmanXəbər.
