Qatar '22: Social media goes wild with racism allegations over controversial Ronaldo penalty
![](https://cdn.classfmonline.com/cfoZ41e/imagelib/thumbs/38540047.jpg)
Social media is awash with allegations of racism against Ghana's national senior male team the Black Stars during their Qatar 2022 opener against Portugal, Thursday 24 November.
The 99-minute and five-goal thriller unfolded at the 974 Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Middle East.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Raphael Leao scored three.
Ghana's Andre Ayew and Osman Bukari scored two in response.
The first half of the game was goalless.
In the 64th minute of the match, however, referee Ismail Elfath awarded a penalty to Portugal's Ronaldo. He had been challenged by Mohammed Salisu in the 18-yard box and had fallen. Efalth ruled it a foul.
The Ghanaian players protested but the match official was adamant.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was not consulted.
Ronaldo eluded goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi and gave his side the game's first goal.
The goal, however, has been received with mixed feelings.
The British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) Match of the Day Twitter account queried: "...should that penalty have been given in the first place?"
The response from App users was a unisonous: "No!"
Some fans hold Ronaldo dived and was not fouled.
Ghana's lead coach Otto Addo has said it was a corrupt decision on the part of referee Efalth. He called it a "special gift" from the match official to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Since final whistle for the game, social media has gone wild with allegations of racism.
Hashtag racism [#racism] is, at the time of publication, trending on Twitter.
Initially, half an hour into the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, had vigorously sent the ball into the back of the net against Ghana, but saw his goal spiked.
The Moroccan-born American match official Elfath ruled that Ronaldo had unfairly shoved off Alexander Djiku with his forearm, gaining undue advantage and the disallowed goal.
On Monday, 28 November, Portugal faces Uruguay and Ghana seeks victory over South Korea.
The Black Stars of Ghana will play Uruguay on Friday, 2 December.
Trending News
A/R: Court remands 13 for illegal mining in Jimmirah forest reserve
06:08'I represent the whole country, marshal, take him out' – Speaker Bagbin orders Sefwi-Wiawso MP out of the chamber
05:39You are honest and I believe you can do the work Bawumia has assigned you – Okuapehene
02:17Tesano: Akufo-Addo hands over 320 housing units to Police Service
06:02Resolve impasse between Oti Bonsu and Abu Ramadan – Concerned NPP members to Party leadership
12:35Speak on politics, you've the right to do so - Napo to traditional leaders
19:39NPP has been good to Wechiau; we'll vote for Bawumia - Wechiau chief
05:57Akufo-Addo to hand over 320-unit housing project for Ghana Police Service tomorrow
05:40NPP Volta defends Akufo-Addo's honorary degree amid NDC Volta youth criticism
13:40It’s not my place to educate NPP on social interventions-Adongo
04:09